Dubois Vs. Joshua Rematch Is Off

November 4, 2024

4 weeks

Frank Warren is eyeing other fights for Daniel Dubois after he confirmed the Anthony Joshua rematch will not happen.

Dubois successfully defended his IBF Heavyweight Title by stopping Joshua in the fifth round. He dropped Joshua four times before getting his man out to defend the belt, which he had gotten after Oleksandr Usyk vacated. After the fight, Joshua’s camp indicated their desire to have the rematch. However, the only thing missing was whether Joshua would take it immediately or whether he would wait for a potential Tyson Fury fight. Dubois expressed his desire to face whoever was put in front of him, given his newfound confidence.

Dubois’ Options

But now it seems that Joshua’s team will not take that rematch, leaving Dubois looking elsewhere. He has several big names which he could take. He has been linked with a big domestic fight against Fabio Wardley. Wardley knocked out Frazer Clarke in the first round in emphatic circumstances following their controversial draw in the first fight. Wardley ended up breaking Clarke’s jaw, which later required surgery, showing the destructive power that he possesses.

However, Wardley does not hold any wins against elite-level fighters, making it a risky fight for Dubois. There is also the opportunity to target a fight with Deontay Wilder. The Bronze Bomber is still a big name despite his form regressing of late. Wilder lost his last two fights, coming up short against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. But he is still a destructive puncher, making that an intriguing matchup. Alternatively, Dubois could face Parker, who beat Wilder and Zhang. Parker is also the former WBO Heavyweight Champion, making him a big name.

Dubois could also rematch Joe Joyce. He lost to Joyce, as he would take a knee in the fight, which raised suggestions that he quit. Joyce is not in the best form, having recently lost twice to Zhang in stoppage losses. He is also coming off a defeat against Derek Chisora, showing that his chin is no longer the same. Dubois would fancy his chances of avenging that loss, given his destructive punch power.

Warren Reacts

Dubois could also wait for the winner of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to set up an Undisputed Heavyweight fight. They rematch on December 21. A fight with Fury is easy to make since they are both promoted by Frank Warren. Meanwhile, there is a narrative in place to face Usyk in a rematch. Dubois came up short after getting stopped in the ninth round last year in controversial circumstances. He dropped Usyk in the fifth round with a body shot. However, the punch was deemed a low blow, much to the division of the boxing community. Either way, Dubois was looking for the big fights moving forward.

“I like that fight but there’s a few others there as well. We’re going to sit down because everybody was obviously focusing on the rematch and we know where we are now. We’ll be looking and seeing what’s available. We’ve got to sit down as a team and go through it and discuss and pick the right opponent. Fabio asked for it. But I think it’s too early and I think it’s a fight that we can build up and if we do it, [it] could be a massive stadium fight,” Warren stated