Greenwich’s Daniel Dubois set for February defence of IBF heavyweight title – but Anthony Joshua rematch is off

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Daniel Dubois is set to make a February defence of his IBF world heavyweight title – but Anthony Joshua will not be in the opposing corner.

The Greenwich puncher, 27, destroyed Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September with the challenger down four times before being counted out in the fifth round.

Joshua, a two-time world champion, had indicated in the immediate aftermath in north London that he would activate a rematch option.

But Frank Warren, who had promoted Dubois since he turned professional in 2017, has said that the bout will not be happening in early 2025.

Warren told TNT Sports: “Dan is going to fight in February – I don’t think it will be AJ.

“By the way, he (Dubois) is the champion so it’s not about what AJ wants to do, it is about what Daniel wants to do.

“We are looking at other guys now and we’ll make an announcement fairly soon. It will be a big fight – he has well and truly announced himself on the world stage like you can’t believe.

“I’m pleased for him. He has come of age mentally.

“He will fight anyone. We will sit down with Daniel, his father, Don (Charles, trainer) and he has a couple of business people working for him now. We will make a constructive and sensible decision.

“When AJ was calling for the rematch I had no problem with that. I felt he (Dubois) would do the same thing again.

“One of the options is very, very interesting.”

One opponent that has been mooted for Dubois (22-2, 21KOs) is WBO Interim world champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23KOs).

The New Zealander has won his last five fights since being knocked out by Joe Joyce in 2022.

Parker’s last two outings have been notable points wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.

“I like that (Parker) fight – but there are a few others there as well,” said Warren.

The most likely reason for Joshua (28-4, 25KOs) stalling on Dubois is that facing Tyson Fury is set to be a more lucrative payday – especially if he prevails in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in December.

Matchroom promote Joshua and the company’s chief executive Frank Smith said: “It is the most important fight of his career, whatever he chooses to do next, and he needs to be 100 per cent.

“AJ would not be ready to fight in February, which makes the Dubois fight tough to do. Dubois has got to keep his momentum, understandly.

“There are big fights to be made. You’ve got the Fury-Usyk fight – there is always going to be talk of Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua, regardless of the various results. That remains still the biggest fight in the sport – or up there – regardless of belts, wins or losses etc.

“Let’s see how the next few months play out and go from there.”

Battersea middleweight Denzel Bentley will face new British champion Brad Pauls at Wembley’s OVO Arena on December 7.

Bentley has won twice since losing his domestic title in November 2023.

Penge cruiserweight Aloys Junior is take on Lewis Oakford on the same show.

MAIN PICTURE: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM BOXING