Greenwich heavyweight Daniel Dubois to defend IBF world heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua

Daniel Dubois will defend his new IBF world heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21,.

Undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk has vacated the IBF belt as he gears up for a rematch against Tyson Fury, meaning that the IBF have upgraded Dubois, 26, who won the interim version last time out with an impressive pounding of Filip Hrgovic at the start of June.

Dubois, from Greenwich, has produced two stoppage victories since losing to Usyk in the ninth round in Wroclaw, Poland in August 2023. The result had a tinge of controversy with the Brit’s promoter Frank Warren claiming a punch that made Usyk touch down on the canvas should have not have been penalised.

It was deemed low by referee Luis Pabon with Usyk afforded time to recover.

Joshua, 32, held the IBF, WBA and WBO titles but lost them to Usyk in September 2021 with the brilliant Ukrainian southpaw also winning their rematch.

The Watford puncher has won four bouts since – brutally knocking out former UFC king Francis Ngannou in March.

Dubois said: “I’m aiming to be the best. AJ has been the king for a long time but on the night I need to be the king slayer. That’s the goal, the mission I have, so let’s go.

“Yeah it feels different (to be world champion). I would have loved to win [the IBF belt] on the night in my last fight but here we are. I’m blessed, we keep going.”

Croydon’s Joshua Buatsi will be on the same card and faces Willy Hutchinson for the WBO interim light-heavyweight title.

Buatsi is unbeaten in 18 bouts. Hutchinson outpointed Crystal Palace’s Craig Richards on the last Riyadh show.