Joshua to fight for IBF title Sept 21
Anthony Joshua might meet the winner of the Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois fight for the IBF world title at Wembley Stadium on September 21, if Oleksandr Usyk's crown is removed, according to Nigerianwatch . Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on May 18 to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years, although it was expected that the Ukrainian would soon lose his IBF title. The IBF championship was set to be on the line on Saturday, June 1, 2024, when mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic faced Daniel Dubois in Riyadh, but the IBF opted to produce an interim belt for the bout.As a result, Usyk will retain the formal championship and undisputed status for the time being, though it is uncertain whether the 37-year-old will be stripped before to his rematch with Fury. The fight will take place in Riyadh on December 21. However, if Usyk is stripped before then, Hrgovic or Dubois will be promoted to the official champion. It is also likely that the winner of Hrgovic/Dubois vs. Joshua will receive an upgrade following their fight. Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion who was at ringside for the Ukrainian's split decision victory over the Gipsy King, is experiencing a comeback that began shortly after his second consecutive loss to Usyk in 2022: defeated Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and Francis Ngannou
Eddie Hearn believes the British Nigerian would have left Usyk's victory against Fury feeling confident about his chances against both. "I don't think he's that deep," Hearn remarked on the True Geordie podcast when questioned about Joshua's thoughts after the fight. "I believe deep down he is thinking, 'Well, I lost, especially in the second fight, by a close points decision.'" "To be honest, AJ was only half the fighter he is now. You could see at the press conference his reaction in the ring; he wasn't himself, and I don't think he was in a good place.
He is now firing on every cylinder that exists. So he's watching the fight and thinking, 'I'd love another go at Usyk. He's thinking, "I'd love to fight Fury, but he did tell me before that fight, 'Usyk would win on points,' and he was right, in a great fight."
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