Joshua provided Dubois combat throwing main spanner in Hearn’s plans
Anthony Joshua has been provided a combat with Daniel Dubois by Frank Warren after seeing his blockbuster showdown with Deontay Wilder slip by means of his fingers as soon as once more. AJ had signed a contract to face Wilder subsequent yr offering they received their respective bouts on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ card in Saudi Arabia final weekend.
While Joshua placed on a boxing clinic in opposition to Otto Wallin in the principle occasion, Wilder was completely outclassed by Joseph Parker within the co-feature attraction as he fell to the third defeat of his skilled profession. Joshua is now anticipated to face Filip Hrgovic in some unspecified time in the future subsequent yr for the soon-to-be vacated IBF world title.
The belt is at present held by Oleksandr Usyk and might be on the road when the Ukrainian squares off in opposition to Tyson Fury on February 17 within the first undisputed heavyweight title combat of the four-belt period. However, each fighters have agreed to a direct rematch after their inaugural encounter which clashes with the IBF’s obligatory order.
As a outcome, the title might be vacated and contested between the foremost sanctioning physique’s No 1 and No 2 fighters, Hrgovic and Joshua. Wallin was the IBF’s No 2 ranked contender however after shedding to Joshua the Brit is predicted to leap forward of him within the rankings when they’re finally up to date.
Eddie Hearn is eager to get Joshua vs Hrgovic on within the New Year because the Watford powerhouse bids to turn out to be a three-time world heavyweight champion however the attract of a home dust-up with Dubois may throw a spanner within the works.
Triple D was in positive kind as he dispatched Jarrell Miller within the tenth spherical on the identical evening to raise his stature within the glamour division. An all-British conflict between the pair may achieve legs if Dubois strings collectively a pair extra spectacular wins.
“For me, Dubois could fight any of those guys in the top 10. Even AJ would be a good fight. I’d watch that all day long,” Warren advised talkSPORT. “I thought Daniel Dubois was brilliant. Absolutely magnificent.
“He proved to all his doubters that he does have heart in a tough, tough fight against a guy who is very good with his gamesmanship, was a tough competitor and made him fight all the way.”