Joshua to face Dubois as Usyk vacates IBF belt

Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, has officially vacated his International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title.

The Ukrainian boxer announced the decision in a video post on his Instagram handle on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old said he is relinquishing the belt as his “present” to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, who are scheduled to fight later this year.

Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia last month to capture all four World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and World Boxing Council (WBC) titles.

He became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago.

Following the capture of all four titles, Usyk is mandated to defend the IBF title against Dubois, whom he defeated to win the belt, as soon as possible.

However, the Fury contract includes a rematch clause activated after the bout, hence the need to vacate his IBF title.

Joshua, resurgent after losing his titles to Usyk, will face Dubois, who has also impressed in recent bouts, in a fight scheduled for September 21.

The fight could now become an IBF title bout following Usyk’s decision.