Former IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has been targeted for a showdown with a hard-hitting rival ahead of his return to the ring.
The 28-year-old from London is yet to make a return to action since he suffered the third defeat of his career to two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk back in July.
Dubois had previously held the IBF heavyweight crown, making just one defence of his title when he stopped countryman Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their showdown at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
As he edges closer towards finalising his long-awaited return, Dubois has been called out for a potential showdown with the powerful Chinese star Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Zhang’s co-manager Terry Lane confirmed that ‘Big Bang’ is open to facing Dubois next in a bout that has been on his wish list for ‘some time’.
“Zhang absolutely wants the Dubois fight. It’s been on his wishlist for some time now. We’ve made Queensberry [Frank Warren’s promotional team] aware, and let’s hope we can get it done.”
Despite suffering several defeats during his career to date, Zhang remains a force in the heavyweight division. The 42-year-old previously held the WBO interim heavyweight championship, stopping Britain’s Joe Joyce in the sixth round of their first encounter back in April of 2023.
Zhang was last in action in February 2025 when he suffered the third defeat of his career to reigning WBC interim heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
