Anthony Joshua’s upcoming opponent for his anticipated fight at Wembley Stadium in September hinges on the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) decision regarding the heavyweight title.
Following Daniel Dubois’ impressive victory over Filip Hrgovic, he emerged as a top contender, with Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, indicating they are actively pursuing this matchup.
However, Deontay Wilder’s potential victory against Zhilei Zhang could also put him in contention, alongside Zhang himself. Joseph Parker, due to his recent victories, is also being considered as a viable option.
The IBF’s ruling holds significant weight as it may directly affect Dubois’ standing as a contender. The uncertainty surrounding the IBF’s reputation, following their decision to strip Terence Crawford of his welterweight title in 2023, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, stressed that the decision-making process involves various stakeholders, including himself, Joshua, and management teams.
Additionally, Joshua has a pre-existing agreement to face the winner of the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk rematch, further complicating the selection process.
