Oleksandr Usyk to defend heavyweight titles against Britain's Daniel Dubois

Match will take place in Poland next month

Oleksandr Usyk after defeating Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20, 2022. PA

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles against Britain's Daniel Dubois next month.

The match will take place at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 26.

Usyk was expected to fight WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a unification fight but negotiations fell through in March.

Dubois, 25, is the WBA (regular) heavyweight belt holder and mandatory challenger.

Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk snatched the titles off Anthony Joshua in London in September 2021 and won the rematch in August last year in Saudi Arabia.

Dubois will be Usyk's second defence of his world heavyweight belts with the match-up announced on Twitter by Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.

Usyk, whose scheduled showdown with Tyson Fury at Wembley fell through due to contractual disputes, said simply on Instagram: "See you 26 August".

Londoner Dubois, nicknamed 'Dynamite', has won 19 of his 20 fights since turning professional in 2017, 18 by knockout, with one defeat, against fellow British heavyweight Joe Joyce in 2020.

Dubois suffered a fractured orbital bone and nerve damage to his left eye when stopped in the 10th round by Joyce, but has beaten four opponents since.

Anthony Joshua looks angry after losing against Oleksandr Usyk in their world heavyweight bout on a split decision at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk after retaining his world heavyweight titles in a split decision against Anthony Joshua at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PA

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk after winning in Jeddah. PA

Oleksandr Usyk reacts after his victory. PA

Anthony Joshua speaks to the crowd following his defeat against Oleksandr Usyk in Jeddah. Getty

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk touch gloves at the end of the fight. PA

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with his belts and his team. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after retaining his world heavyweight titles. PA

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates with the flag of Ukraine. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk after winning his fight against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Anthony Joshua on the front foot against Oleksandr Usyk. PA

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk trade punches. Getty

Anthony Joshua evades a right. Getty

Oleksandr Usyk after receiving a low blow. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk lands a right on Anthony Joshua. Getty

Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in action at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah. PA

The ring is cleaned between rounds. Reuters

Anthony Joshua evades a punch from Oleksandr Usyk. Getty

Anthony Joshua with a body shot. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk throws a right. Action Images

Oleksandr Usyk in action against Anthony Joshua. Action Images

Anthony Joshua made a low-key entrance at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah. Getty

Anthony Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn before the fight. PA