Daniel Dubois is a man with a target on his back.
The 27-year-old is the current IBF Heavyweight World Champion and is in the sights of many aspiring and top-level heavyweights. He is also, however, a man in a fine run of form, so presents a real problem for anyone willing to step into the ring with him.
Over the course of the last 18 months or so, ‘DDD’ has put together three impressive stoppage wins. The first came over Jarrell Miller in December 2023 when he showed he could weather a storm and come through the other side. He stopped the American in the dying sends of the 10th and final round.
He also scored an early finish over Fillip Hrgovic after some tough opening rounds, then blasted away former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in September, knocking him out inside five rounds.
Dubois was then due to defend his belt against Joseph Parker in February, but a virus kept him out of that one and now he is plotting his next move.
Uzbek star and decorated amateur Bakhodir Jalolov has put himself forward as one possible option. He is 30 years old and a former three-time Olympic Gold medalist who is currently 14 and 0 in the pro ranks, with every win coming via KO.
Speaking to BoxNation, he said he was keen to face Dubois next.
“I’m ready now. Give me three months, I will be ready.”
With little upside for Dubois, that one is unlikely to happen next. One option for him is a rematch with Joshua, while another is to go into an undisputed contest with Usyk. That depends on whether or not WBO Interim Champion and mandatory challenger Parker would step aside to let the fight happen having himself been ordered to fight the Ukrainian next.
