Despite early talks for a second fight with Daniel Dubois, it appears Anthony Joshua is going to take a different route.
The two-time heavyweight champion was knocked out in the fifth round by a destructive and motivated Dubois, who kept his IBF World Title in the process.
Post-fight, talks for an immediate rematch began quickly, however it has since emerged that the targeted date of February will be too quick of a turnaround for Joshua, who was on the canvas four times in the first fight in August.
Speaking to the media this weekend, Dubois promoter Frank Warren confirmed that the return fight won’t be happening next but that his man will still be out in February to defend the belt.
“AJ, I don’t think is gonna take… Well, the fight’s not going to happen. So we’re looking at other opponents and we’ll be announcing that in due course. He’ll be fighting in February in a big, big fight because he’ll be defending his title … I like [the Joseph Parker] fight but there are a few others there as well. We’re going to sit down, because obviously everyone was focusing on the rematch, and we know where we are now so we’ll be looking and seeing what’s available. We’ll sit down as a team and have got to pick the right opponent.”
“Fabio asked for it, but I think it’s too early and I think it’s a fight certainly that we can build up and if we can do it, it could be a massive stadium fight.”
He does, however, believe that Wardley makes one half of a good match-up with Joshua, suggesting the pair face off next.
“If AJ wants a fight, maybe fight Fabio.”
Wardley (18-0, 17 KOs) fought to a twelve-round draw with Clarke before ending the rematch quickly and on devastating fashion last month. He has confirmed that ha wants to push on to world level and could vacate his title to do so.
