Anthony Joshua has the chance to become a three-time heavyweight world champion on Saturday when Daniel Dubois puts his IBF belt on the line at Wembley Stadium in London.
Dubois — who beat Filip Hrgović in June — was awarded the title after it was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk, who called it his «present» to Dubois and Joshua ahead of their fight.
The contest pits two fighters at different stages of their respective careers against each other, with the tantalising prospect of another title bout against Usyk or Tyson Fury looming.
Key details:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21. Ring walk set for 10:30 p.m. UK time.
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Titles: Daniel Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title
The undercard:
Tyler Denny vs. Hamzah Sheeraz for Denny’s European middleweight title
Anthony Cacace vs. Josh Warrington for Cacace’s IBO junior lightweight world title
Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson for the vacant IBF interim light heavyweight title
Ishmael Davis vs. Josh Kelly, middleweight (non-title fight)
Mark Chamberlain vs. Josh Padley, lightweight (non-title fight)
Where can I watch the Joshua-Dubois fight card?
The fight will be available to purchase on Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN in the UK and on DAZN in the U.S. Ring walk set for 10:30 p.m. UK time (5:30 p.m. ET).
ESPN will also have a live blog on the night.
What’s at stake?
As well as Dubois’ IBF title, the winner will likely be in line to face either Fury or Usyk next year following their rematch on Dec. 21 in Riyadh.
Rumblings of a long-awaited clash between Joshua and Fury have grown louder in recent weeks, but he will be focused on Dubois first and foremost because the loser will once more be forced to claw their way back up the highly competitive heavyweight ranks.
Both Joshua and Dubois have already taken on the Ukrainian Usyk in title fights, with Joshua coming up short first at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021 and then in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in August 2022 — both times via comfortable points decisions.
Dubois gave Usyk arguably the biggest scare of his unblemished professional career in their fight in Wrocław, Poland, as the Englishman dropped his opponent in the Round 5 with what was controversially deemed to be a low blow, before the champion recovered to win by knockout in Round 9.
Stats
Stats to follow from ESPN’s Stats and Information Group.
Key questions:
How will Dubois handle the big occasion?
Joshua, 34, is vastly more experienced than the 27-year-old Dubois, so the bright lights of Wembley will be a real test for the younger man who will have to deal with being the centre of attention in fight week before he walks out in front of 96,000 fans at England’s national stadium.
By comparison, arguably the best night of Joshua’s career came at Wembley in 2017, when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko to become unified champion. Joshua has won all four of his fights at the stadium, three of which he’s headlined, though the most recent of those bouts came in December 2020 against Kubrat Pulev.
How aggressive will Joshua be against a better opponent?
Joshua made light work of Francis Ngannou in March, scoring a devastating knockout in Round 2 in Riyadh, even after many believed the former UFC heavyweight champion could potentially cause him issues having knocked down Tyson Fury in his previous foray into the heavyweight-boxing world. That win followed Joshua’s savage display against Otto Wallin in December.
On both of those occasions, Joshua let his hands go and his opponents simply couldn’t handle him. Dubois, who is a big hitter himself, will be a step up in class. So, will Joshua show more caution? Or will it be all guns blazing from the opening bell?
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Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will perform as part of the fight night entertainment, with rumours brother Noel could make also make an appearance ahead of the band’s reunion in 2025.
Oleksandr Usyk vacating IBF title ahead of Joshua-Dubois bout
After becoming the first undisputed heavyweight world champion in nearly 25 years in May, Usyk vacated his IBF belt in what he called his «present» to Joshua and Dubois.
Is Dubois a genuine threat to Joshua?
Nick Parkinson takes a deeper look at Dubois, and how much of a threat he might pose his opponent.
Form guide:
Joshua:
Win vs. Jermain Franklin (UD) April 1, 2023
Win vs. Robert Helenius (KO) Aug. 12, 2023
Win vs. Otto Wallin (TKO) Dec. 23, 2023
Win vs. Francis Ngannou (KO) March 8, 2024
Dubois:
Win vs. Kevin Lerena (KO) Dec. 3, 2022
Loss vs. Oleksandr Usyk (KO) Aug. 26, 2023
Win vs. Jarrell Miller (KO) Dec. 23, 2023
Win vs. Filip Hrgović (TKO) Jun. 1, 2024