Daniel Dubois is currently searching for his next opponent.
Dubois is the current IBF heavyweight champion and retained his belt in emphatic fashion in September when he knocked out Anthony Joshua inside five rounds at Wembley Stadium.
It was thought that a rematch with Joshua would be next, but that has since been confirmed as ruled out by both Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren.
Instead, Dubois is set to return to the ring in February, with the likes of Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang mentioned as potential opponents.
Top trainer Billy Nelson has given his view on the matter, telling Pro Boxing Fans the his man Martin Bakole is one heavyweight that he doesn’t think Dubois would face.
“Frank Warren is not going to put Martin Bakole in with Daniel Dubois. Let me tell you that here and now. That won’t happen. Martin would need be to be mandatory.”
Bakole who has become one of the forces in the heavyweight division after impressive displays in recent times.
He defeated Carlos Takam by fourth round stoppage in October 2023, then put in a career-best performance to dominate and knock out previously unbeaten American Jared Anderson in the fifth round in Los Angeles in August.
Bakole has now been ordered by the IBF to have a final eliminator against Agit Kabayel, with purse bids imminent. A win there would make him mandatory, as mentioned by Nelson.
A decision is expected soon on who Dubois will face next, with Parker emerging as a frontrunner.
