Oleksandr Usyk title decision sees him give 'present' to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois

Daniel Dubois has been crowned the new IBF heavyweight world champion following Oleksandr Usyk's decision to vacate the title.

Usyk, who became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in a quarter of a century by defeating Tyson Fury in May, relinquished his IBF belt just over a month later. Dubois, who secured the interim belt with a knockout victory over Filip Hrgovic on the undercard of the Fury-Usyk bout, has now been elevated to full champion status.

Dubois is set to make his first defence of the world title against Anthony Joshua on September 21 at Wembley Stadium. Usyk mocked Joshua and Dubois as he announced his departure from the IBF title, stating: "Anthony and Daniel listen, I know IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on September 21.

"The world loves strong. Your friend, undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk."

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Joshua is aiming to become only the fifth boxer to win the heavyweight world championship three times by taking the title from Dubois in what will be the latter's inaugural defence. Joshua hasn't fought for a world title since his unsuccessful attempt to reclaim his unified belts from Usyk two years prior, reports the Mirror.

After losing his perfect record to Joe Joyce in 2020, Dubois bounced back with four straight wins before being defeated in his initial world title challenge by Usyk last year. The 26 year old has previously claimed to have knocked down Joshua during a sparring session more than five years ago.

Fury is set to have a rematch with Usyk just before the festive season, which means he won't be able to meet his mandatory IBF commitment to fight Dubois. Despite almost being stopped in the ninth round during their previous bout, Fury is adamant that he was the true victor and is eager for a chance to prove it.

"I've watched the fight back lots and still got the same answer - I thought I won. Usyk knows he didn't beat me... I thought I boxed the head right off him for most of the rounds. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it'd be. People said he's hard to hit, I was lighting him up with four-punch combinations and laughing at him," Fury confidently claimed.