Daniel Dubois is being tipped to dominate the heavyweight division following his victory over Anthony Joshua, with promoter Frank Warren eyeing a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk following Dubois’ rise to IBF champion.
Daniel Dubois has been hailed as a future force in the heavyweight division by his promoter, Frank Warren, following his dominant victory over Anthony Joshua in a five-round world title bout.
The 27 years old has emerged as the IBF heavyweight champion after a stunning performance that saw him demolish fellow Briton Joshua.
This victory has sparked interest in a potential rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning WBO, WBA, and WBC champion.
Usyk, who defeated Dubois in a ninth-round stoppage in August 2023, vacated the IBF title in June after becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years by defeating Tyson Fury.
Warren is eager for Dubois to face Usyk again, believing that Dubois has matured both physically and mentally, giving him the potential to dominate the division.
“The fight I would like to see him in now is Usyk again,” Warren told media. “He is a different Daniel Dubois, he is more mature physically and mentally.
“He will go from strength to strength. He will be here for a while, he is a young man and has all the tools to take this division over.
“There is a clause [for a rematch with Joshua] in his contract but not in ours. But that’s not to say we wouldn’t do it. It’s something we’ll sit down and discuss.”
Dubois’ initial bout with Usyk was marked by controversy in the fifth round when Dubois knocked Usyk down, but the referee ruled it a low blow, giving Usyk nearly four minutes to recover. Warren attributed Dubois’ loss to a lack of composure, but now believes that Dubois is a more seasoned fighter.
“Dubois lost his composure [after the incident],” said Warren. “I think that was down to the fact he was a bit younger and he probably did not have the ring savviness to deal with it.
“But now he is a different guy altogether, as you saw on Saturday night.”
Meanwhile, Joshua has indicated that he has no plans to retire despite the nature of the defeat, expressing pride in his career and optimism for the future.
“We came up short but we have to look at the positives, that has to be the mindset,” Joshua, 34, said in a video posted on social media, external.
“Look at what we have achieved over 11 years. It has been phenomenal.
“What a rollercoaster journey – but it is far from over.
“I’ve got a lot more to bring to the game and long may it continue.”
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