Oleksandr Usyk confirms world title on the line for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois to deny Tyson Fury a rematch

Oleksandr Usyk announced he was vacating his IBF heavyweight title and offered it to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

The undisputed champion has held the belt since dominating Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.

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But he announced he would not defend him in his rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21.

His decision deprived the ‘Gypsy King’ of the chance to become the first undisputed British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

And Usyk announced he was vacating the IBF strap in order for his old foes AJ and Dubois to fight for the belt – with talks underway regarding a showdown at Wembley on September 21.

Taking to social media, undefeated Ukrainian Usyk said: “Anthony and Daniel, listen, I know the IBF title is important to you.

“This is my gift to you on September 21.”

Usyk’s decision set up another potential uncontested case in 2025.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn outlined a potential plan for the heavyweight division during an interview with talkSPORT earlier this month.

Hearn insisted the winner of Joshua vs Dubois and Usyk vs Fury would face each other in April or May next year.

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Joshua is trying to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world after being dethroned by Usyk three years ago.

After losing at Spurs Stadium, he then lost by split decision in his rematch against Usyk in Saudi Arabia.

Since that humbling defeat, he has returned to the competition following victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.

As for former WBA champion “Regular” Dubois, he was stopped by Usyk during their unification fight in August 2023.

But he currently holds the IBF interim title after his brutal knockout victory over Filip Hrgovic on June 1.

All that remains is for AJ’s fight against Dubois to be officially confirmed, with Tony Bellew backing Joshua to knock out his British rival in two rounds.