Oleksandr Usyk has backed Anthony Joshua to defeat Daniel Dubois in their upcoming heavyweight world title fight.
Joshua challenges Dubois for his IBF heavyweight world title on September 21 at Wembley Stadium, the only belt not in the grasp of Usyk, who has the WBA ‘super’, WBO and WBC crowns.
The Ukrainian, two-weight world champion relieved ‘AJ’ of his belts in 2021, before beating him in a rematch in 2022 and then he went on to stop Dubois last August.
Having faced both, the 37-year-old admits he is siding with Joshua to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, four weeks on Saturday.
“I think it’s AJ,” Usyk told Sky News.
“I respect both of these guys, but I predict Anthony.”
Usyk became undisputed heavyweight champion after securing a split decision win over then-WBC titlist, Tyson Fury in May.
Victory ensured he became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999 and the first man to hold all four heavyweight world titles simultaneously.
Usyk opted to relinquish the IBF crown in June and Dubois, who halted Filip Hrgovic in eight rounds later that month, was then elevated from interim titlist to full champion.
The 2012 Olympic gold medalist will take on Fury in a rematch on December 21 in Saudi Arabia and insists he has no regrets over vacating the IBF strap.
“It’s good. IBF does not take my belt, I give my belt for Anthony Joshua and Dubois,” he added.
“Because for me, it’s important that my sport, boxing develops.
“But if I take four belts, OK, what? I have four. I must defend IBF.
“Now it’s not possible because we have rematch.
“Ok, no problem. It’s good when different sportsmen have belts.
“For me, it’s good. For boxing, it’s great.”
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