Joshua will fight Daniel Dubois in September, with the winner securing a chance at the winner of Fury’s December rematch with Usyk.

Anthony Joshua has revealed that he wants Tyson Fury to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch.

Anthony Joshua will take on Daniel Dubois in September.

Fury suffered his first professional defeat when Usyk outpointed him in their undisputed heavyweight clash last month. The rivals were scheduled to meet again in October, but their second meeting has been put back to four days before Christmas.

Before that, Joshua will face newly appointed world champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21, meaning Fury and Usyk would only compete for three belts in December. The winners of the two fights are slated to meet next year, and Joshua expects to finally face his compatriot after nearly a decade of back and forth.

When asked if he wants Fury to defeat Usyk, he replied, “Yes, in a way. I don’t mind if he wins or loses. I just want to fight him; it has been dragging on. Fury dodge a lot of people; he doesn’t fight many people, even top-tier ones. He needs to get on with it and come fight me, not waste my time. I don’t want to battle him when I am 40, 41, or 42 years old.

Fury and Joshua agreed to terms in 2021, but the match fell apart when Fury was obliged to face Deontay Wilder for the third time. When asked if he fears Fury will retire if he loses to Joshua again, he replied, “It’s up to him.” He has put himself in a position to make his own decisions. In terms of fans, I understand what they want. We attempted to make the battle happen; it was signed, but then it fell through. We got the Wilder fight signed… I’ve always stepped up. Hopefully after this, we’ll be able to finally get it on.”

Joshua will attempt to become a three-time heavyweight world champion when he faces Dubois at the national stadium. And of his opponent, he said: “He’s the next man up, congrats to Daniel to winning his last fight. I went out there to watch it, a good fight between him and [Filip] Hrgovic. I picked Dubois to win before and it came true, I’ve had him on mind for a while and he’ll be on my mind for the next 12 weeks until I get my hand raised.

“I’m not silly, I know the game. We are in the wild, we are a pack of lions and I’ve had to keep my eyes peeled on Daniel and the rest of the heavyweights. Whoever would have been in his seat, I would be ready to fight in September. The goal is getting through a successful training camp and doing what I need to do, then performing on the night. The shiny stuff comes at later date.

“I feel fresh, as my shoulder is clicking! I don’t drink or smoke, so I feel good. Thank God I didn’t get caught up in any antics outside of antics. I’m in peak condition, I feel good and I feel strong.”I would have been ready to fight against anyone in that opposite seat. The shiny stuff comes at a later date, the goal now is a good training camp and performance.”