Anthony Joshua is set to miss out on the rematch against Daniel Dubois.
These two British heavyweights came together in September for a high-drama world title showdown. The IBF belt was on the line as Joshua attempted to become a three-time world champion having lost his belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and failing to regain them in a rematch in 2022.
Dubois had Joshua down inside the first round and AJ never really recovered, He was put down a several more times before being stopped in the fifth.
In the immediate aftermath, it was claimed he wanted to go straight into a rematch but his promoter Eddie Hearn has since said he has some niggles which means he won’t likely be ready to go again in February, which is when Dubois next wants to be out.
Speaking to iFL TV, former world champion Tony Bellew gave Dubois credit for his win.
“Listen, can’t credit Daniel Dubois enough. Didn’t see that coming, give him all the credit in the world, simple as that.
As for the rematch, if it doesn’t happen in February it’ll happen sooner or later. Frank will want to keep his boy busy which is the smart thing to do. With someone like Daniel you’ve got to be careful with the defence and who you take on. Daniel’s confidence is growing, he’ll feel on top of the world right now. Daniel is a confidence fighter. When you knock his confidence, he’s a different fighter, but when he’s on top, he’s a handful, he’s a problem for anyone in the world.”
He then suggested Joshua should go straight back into the rematch as he did successfully after losing to Andy Ruiz Jr.
“As for AJ and the rematch. I think he knows where he’s at. He knows he needs to show us something he has done before. Wind back the clock, simple as that. Why not do it again? He’s done it once before, just repeat. It’s not new to him, it’s not a shock to him, he’s done it before and come out the other side. It’s a brilliant fight, it’ll be a brilliant build-up.”
Frank Warren hopes to announce who Dubois will face next later this week.
