Daniel Dubois is set to defend his IBF World Heavyweight Title against Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. One man who knows both well is Tyson Fury.
Dubois and Parker have both had standout periods in the heavyweight division. With stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, handing both their first losses, Dubois was elevated to full IBF Champion and made his first defence with a sensational knockout of Anthony Joshua.
Former WBO Champion Parker has earned his shot at the belt with points wins over heavyweight boogeymen Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. He got the call for the Dubois fight after ‘AJ’ pulled out of an immediate rematch due to niggling injuries.
Fury has sparred both men, is promotional stablemates with Dubois and close friends with Parker. Asked by TNT Sports who wins, he opted for the New Zealander.
“I’ve got to go with my old pal, Joseph Parker.”
Fury has his own world title shot coming up as he attempts to win back his WBC belt along with the WBO and WBA against Oleksandr Usyk. The pair first did battle for the undisputed crown back in May with the Ukrainian coming out a close points winner.
Should ‘The Gypsy King’ manage to reverse the result he is contracted for a trilogy with Usyk. From then on, he may look to face the winner of Dubois-Parker for another attempt at winning all four belts – though if it’s good pal Parker some awkward conversations must be had.
