Promoter Eddie Hearn remains adamant that Anthony Joshua wants to avenge his knockout loss to Daniel Dubois but the immediate rematch is now in serious doubt.
‘AJ’ was defeated in his bid to become a three-time heavyweight world champion by newly elevated IBF titleholder Dubois, who was sharper, faster and much more punishing on the night.
The 27-year-old dropped Joshua three times before ending the contest conclusively in the fifth round. Post-fight, Hearn said that his charge would want to step straight back into the fire in an attempt to reverse the result. He did also point out that he may advise ‘AJ’ to wait it out and see how the second fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury plays out on December 21, the idea being that Joshua faces Fury afterwards in a long-awaited clash.
However, talks began for the Dubois rematch immediately, with the IBF Champion on board and Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh willing to stage the return fight on February 22, 2025.
Now, Hearn has told BBC Sport that the timeline may not suit and the Fury path may be more likely.
“It’s weird saying it after a knockout defeat but AJ is actually in a really good position. We’re going to fight Dubois or Fury next. That’s it. No other interest or warm-up. AJ desperately wants revenge but the only issue is timing. For the rematch to happen in February, training camp will have to start in a couple of weeks.
“There are always niggles and he had a few so physically it’s just a case of whether AJ is ready to do that … It would be frustrating if we made the Dubois rematch and Fury won. Then we’re sitting there going ‘hang on a minute, we’re fighting Dubois but we could have fought Fury in May for the biggest fight in boxing.’ Win or lose, we can fight Fury next summer. But if he wins, AJ fights him for the world title.”
News is expected soon as Dubois and team have confirmed they will fight on the February date regardless. His own promoter, Frank Warren, doesn’t believe it will be ‘AJ’ in the opposite corner.
