Oleksandr Usyk has vacated the IBF heavyweight title, leading to Daniel Dubois being elevated to the status of official champion ahead of an anticipated bout with Anthony Joshua.
Dubois and Joshua are set to contend for the title on September 21, with an official announcement expected on Wednesday, June 26.
The fight is likely to take place at Wembley Stadium in London.
In a video shared on social media, Usyk addressed the fighters, saying, “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know the IBF title is important to you. [Consider] it my present to you on 21 September.”
Usyk, having outpointed Tyson Fury in May, became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years by adding the WBC title to his collection of IBF, WBA, and WBO belts.
Usyk initially took the unified titles from Joshua in 2021 and successfully defended them in a rematch the following year.
The Ukrainian is scheduled for another bout with Fury in Saudi Arabia in December, although the contest will no longer be for undisputed status.
Dubois, 26, secured the interim IBF title by defeating Filip Hrgovic in June.
Joshua, 34, last competed in March, where he knocked out former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
Briton Dubois also faced Usyk in August, suffering a defeat after Usyk recovered from a controversial low blow to stop him.
Joshua’s losses to Usyk both came by decision in their September 2021 and August 2022 fights.
