Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will fight for the IBF World Heavyweight Title on September 21, 2023, at Wembley Stadium. This bout has got heavyweight champions Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury at odds over who'll ...
Joshua, at 34, wants to become a three-time heavyweight titlist. He'll face Dubois, who's just been elevated to IBF Champion after Usyk vacated the belt. The fight's got fans talking, and it's caught the attention of the division's top dogs.
Usyk, who beat Joshua twice and holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO belts, thinks AJ's got this one in the bag. He told reporters:
"Of course [he beats Daniel Dubois] … It's like Olympic Champion and UK Champion. Anthony is a different level."
Usyk believes Joshua's improved mentally and is simply a cut above Dubois. He likens the match-up to an Olympic champ facing a national champ.
But Fury's not buying it. His promoter, Frank Warren, shared Fury's thoughts:
"He thinks Daniel's gonna do the business, so that'll be the unification next year."
Fury's backing the younger Dubois to pull off the upset and force a changing of the heavyweight guard.
While Joshua and Dubois prepare for their September clash, Usyk and Fury have their own business to settle. They're set for a rematch in December, following Usyk's split decision win in May. The WBC, WBA, and WBO belts will be on the line.
If Usyk beats Fury again and Joshua overcomes Dubois, we might see Usyk-Joshua III. Usyk's open to it, saying:
"From my point of view I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights. Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God's help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony."
But if Fury wins his rematch with Usyk, fans might finally get the all-British affair they've been waiting for: Fury vs Joshua.
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With two huge heavyweight fights on the horizon, the division's landscape could look very different come 2024. Will Joshua reclaim gold? Can Dubois upset the odds? And who'll come out on top between Usyk and Fury? We'll have to wait and see.