Daniel Dubois Vs Anthony Joshua's Rematch Could Fail
JAKARTA The rematch between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua is likely to fail, so the name Fabio Wardley now appears as an optional opponent.
Dubois previously beat KO Joshua in the fifth round in a duel for the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium, London, England, on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
The victory automatically made Daniel Dubois officially the real IBF champion after previously holding the interim champion. The rematch between the two is open.
However, at this time the possibility of a Dubois duel to defend the title against Joshua could not be realized. Therefore, the IBF also gave Dubois the green light to fight Wardley.
Talks about the rematch between Dubois and Joshua in early 2025 continue to be postponed amid concerns from Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn. This allows Wardley to appear as a substitute opponent for Dubois.
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Sky Sport reported that the President of the IBF, totaling the Peoples, had confirmed that Dubois had the option of fighting any ranking fighter before April 22, 2025.
Wardley has skyrocketed and entered the IBF rankings as well as the race for the world title after giving Frazer Clarke the first round of knockouts in their rematch this month.
On paper, Wardley has a record 17 knockouts in 18 wins. The statistic clearly places Wardley as a very threatening opponent for Dubois, who has a record no less flashy 21 knockouts in 22 wins.
Frank Warren, Dubois promoter, has also confirmed that his client will defend the IBF title against other challengers if Joshua is not ready for a rematch.
"Daniel (Dubois) will defend his title in February (2025). If not Joshua then he will fight someone who is in the top five," Warren said.
Meanwhile, Hearn has acknowledged that Joshua may need longer preparation for his second fight against Dubois.
"Our current concern is only time. If we are going to fight it in February 2025, we need to start the camp in about three weeks. This is a pretty fast change," he said.
Setelah tanggal 22 April 2025, IBF akan melakukan pertarungan wajib untuk mempertahankan gelar bagi Dubois, yang kemungkinan besar dia akan melawan pemenang dari pertarungan kelian terakhir antara Martin Bakole vs Agit Kabayel.
The IBF regulation states that the champion is obliged to defend his title within a period of no more than nine months against top challengers in the heavyweight division appointed by the championship chairman.
In addition, the IBF also stated that Dubois could be free to pursue the unification match after that date.
The only unification fight available to Dubois is against winner Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury.
Thus, he will have the opportunity to win the undisputed heavyweight title.
Usyk will fight Fury to risk the WBC, WBO, and WBA belts in Saudi Arabia on December 21, 2024.