IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois says his goal is to become the “Kingslayer” when he faces “King” Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in England on September 21.
Candidate for the King
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) has been seen as more of a contender to become the next champion than the actual champion since losing the title to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021.
AJ has won his last four matches and is making all the right moves to regain his place at the top of the division as champion, but he still needs to win two more matches before he can sit on the throne and rule the division with the scepter.
Promoter Eddie Hearn didn't have to pressure the International Boxing Federation to grant his wish to strip IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk of his belt, because he personally presented it to Dubois, who makes his first title defense on September 21.
The Road to the Throne
“I'm happy he's the champion because if he beats Daniel Dubois he'll have beaten another champion and become heavyweight champion for a third time,” promoter Eddie Hearn told reporters at today's kickoff press conference, speaking about Anthony Joshua's September 21st fight against newly promoted IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.
Hearn didn't say who else Joshua would have faced on September 21 if Usyk hadn't vacated the IBF title. Hearn was rumored to have chosen between Zhang Zhilei and Joseph Parker if the IBF belt wasn't on the line, and they wouldn't take the risky fight with Dubois if the IBF wasn't available.
“This is part of the journey to an unbeaten record that we will never lose sight of. A thrilling main event, two Brits fighting for the world heavyweight title and a breathtaking undercard event that they have put together in spectacular fashion,” Hearn said.
Unfortunately, the undercard is far from “breathtaking,” as former IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington has lost his last two bouts and will face IBF super featherweight champion Anthony Cacace in a world title fight on this card.
Mission to Kill the King
“AJ has been the king for a long time and on that night I have to be the Kingslayer. That's my goal and my mission,” said Daniel Dubois. “I'm ready to let my fists do the talking and I'm going to train like a beast.”
