Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has initiated discussions for a showdown with compatriot Daniel Dubois slated for September.
Joshua, aged 34, is anticipated to step into the ring at Wembley Stadium on September 21st, having observed Dubois’ triumph over Filip Hrgovic last Saturday in Saudi Arabia from ringside.
Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, has confirmed that negotiations are underway.
Dubois, aged 26, secured a victory over Hrgovic in their IBF ‘interim’ title bout, positioning himself favorably as the potential next mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk, the Ukrainian boxer, has expressed a desire for his IBF belt not to be stripped, aiming to preserve the opportunity for an undisputed title when he faces Tyson Fury in their rematch on December 21st.
Should the IBF opt to strip Usyk of his title, Dubois could ascend to the status of world champion, paving the way for a title bout against Joshua.
Joshua, boasting a record of four consecutive wins, is a two-time unified world champion. Despite setbacks in successive defeats against Usyk, he has displayed a remarkable resurgence, claiming three stoppage victories in his recent matches.
Dubois, also on a path to redemption, has secured two victories following his unsuccessful attempt to dethrone Usyk in August 2023. Notably, the Londoner triumphed over Jarrell Miller and Hrgovic, the latter bout where Dubois entered as the underdog.