Daniel Dubois, the IBF heavyweight world champion, was billed to face Anthony Joshua again in a rematch. However, he believes Joshua “wasn’t ready” to fight him on 22 February next year.

While Dubois was expected to fight Joshua again after beating him in September, he will instead face top contender Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia. Joshua’s team say the former unified world champion is carrying an injury and Dubois says Parker, is a “different” challenge than his domestic rival. He said this to BBC Sport: 

“I don’t think Joshua was ready for it. Where is AJ? I can’t find him. I’ve been looking for AJ but I can’t find him. On to the next one now. Parker’s been on a good run, he’s experienced and a veteran.”

“I just have to be faster and better than him in every department. I think I’ll do a job on him but it will be a good fight.”

Daniel Dubois wants Usyk v Fury 2 winner

Despite his upcoming title defense, Dubois is eager to fight the winner of Usyk-Fury and said he would take on either. Dubois has already fought Usyk and was stopped in the ninth round, floored Usyk in the fifth round of their unification contest but it was deemed a low blow. He said: 

“I’d be happy [to fight Fury] but I’d love to fight Usyk after what happened in Poland and the history behind it. I’d love to get that back and do a rematch. I don’t think he would say no to business. Money talks in boxing and it would be a huge fight to get that back, to right that wrong. I’m the world champion and he’s got the other belts to make it [an] undisputed [fight].”

It is worth noting that Usyk has teased a move back down to cruiserweight should he beat Fury for a second time, but Dubois feels that is unlikely. That said, it will be interesting to see what’s next. 

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