Oleksandr Usyk has announced he is vacating his IBF heavyweight title and has offered it up to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
The undisputed champion has held the belt since outpointing Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021.
But he has announced he will not be defending it in his rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21.
His decision has denied the ‘Gypsy King’ the chance to become the first undisputed British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
And Usyk has announced he is vacating the IBF strap in order for his former foes AJ and Dubois to fight for the belt – with talks being held regarding a Wembley showdown on September 21.
Taking to social media, unbeaten Ukrainian Usyk said: “Anthony and Daniel, listen, I know the IBF title is important to you.
“It’s my present to you on September 21.”
Usyk’s decision has set up another potential undisputed affair in 2025.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn mapped out a potential plan for the heavyweight division when speaking to talkSPORT earlier this month.
Hearn insisted that the winner of Joshua vs Dubois and Usyk against Fury would face each other in either April or May next year.
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Joshua is bidding to become a three-time heavyweight world champion after being dethroned by Usyk three years ago.
After losing at Spurs’ stadium, he then lost on a split decision in his rematch with Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
Since that humbling defeat, he has forced his way back into contention following victories over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.
As for former WBA ‘Regular’ champ Dubois, he was stopped by Usyk in their unification bout in August 2023.
But he currently holds the interim IBF strap following his brutal knockout win over Filip Hrgovic on June 1.
All that is left now is for AJ’s bout with Dubois to be officially confirmed, with Tony Bellew backing Joshua to blast out his British rival inside two rounds.
