Britain’s latest heavyweight world champion, Daniel Dubois, will be looking to maintain that status in the first defence of his title.
Dubois may hold the IBF belt but he didn’t technically win it in the ring, elevated to full champion after his victory over Fillip Hrgovic but only in the wake of Oleksandr Usyk vacating because he couldn’t fulfil his mandatory obligations. Instead, he will be going into a rematch with Tyson Fury later in the year having beaten him first-time runs for the undisputed title in May.
Dubois goes into his first defence with Anthony Joshua off the back of a solid run of form that has seen him find new confidence after stoppages of American Jarrell Miller and Croatian Hrgovic.
Joshua, too, however, is on a roll following four straight wins, three of which were stoppages, the last coming against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou inside just two rounds.
Speaking on the MMA Hour, heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang has given his verdict on the fight.
“It’s hard to say. Difficult question. Let’s see what their training camp and preparation look like. Dubois is on the rise, he’s fantastic, and he has something to prove. So I think he might be a better performance that night.
Yes, I agree [Dubois has a solid chance to pull of the upset.]”
Zhang’s last outing was a standout stoppage win over Deontay Wilder following a points loss to Joseph Parker in 2023. He has often spoken of his desire to face Parker again and has the contractual right to do so. He also wants Joshua having lost to him in the Olympics back in 2012, although he says the Brit will never face him.
Dubois-Joshua tops a Riyadh Season card at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
