DANIEL DUBOIS’ rematch with Anthony Joshua has been plunged into doubt.
That is because the IBF world champion received the green light to defend his title against another British rival.
Dubois, 27, smashed AJ with a blockbuster performance at Wembley in September.
Dynamite put Joshua down on the canvas four times on his way to a brutal fifth-round knockout to defend the IBF crown.
A rematch was initially set to be pencilled in for Saudi Arabia in February.
However, that may now be off the cards because of a ruling from IBF chiefs.
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IBF President Caryl Peoples confirmed Dubois “can make an optional defence against any ranked fighter before April 22, 2025”.
That came after he was quizzed about a possible showdown between Dubois and Fabio Wardley.
Wardley, 29, has thrown himself into contention following his thrilling first-round knockout of Frazer Clarke this month.
That propelled him up to No12 in the IBF rankings – just behind the likes of AJ, Derek Chisora and Otto Wallin.
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And he is desperate for a shot at one of the biggest belts in boxing.
The Suffolk star said: “It needs to be a level of smartness going into this now about how we pick my next opponent, who they are, how they’re ranked, how that fight and that win would set me up going forward.
“Obviously hoping to get some sort of eliminator, world title shot, something along those lines.
“So yeah, it’s going to be a bit more of a strategic one.”
Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren also revealed his fighter’s next bout doesn’t have to be against Joshua if the Watford man is not ready.
Warren said: “He is the champion and it’ll be done on his terms.
“Daniel will defend his title in February and if it’s not Joshua then it’ll be against somebody who is ranked in the top five.”
After April 22, the IBF will enforce a mandatory IBF title defence for Dubois – probably against the winner of Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel – because he is required to put the belt on the line at least every nine months.
However, Dubois could hold on for a unification fight – by taking on the winner of December 21’s Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch to be named undisputed heavyweight world champion.
Round by round: How Dubois demolished Joshua
ANTHONY JOSHUA bravely picked himself up from the floor against Daniel Dubois – until he could no more.
AJ was floored four times in five rounds by Dubois before a thudding counter right closed the show in dramatic fashion.
Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg takes you round-by-round from the Wembley war.
ROUND 1
Dubois comes out sharp with the jab as Joshua bounces around struggling to deal with the piston-like left.
Huge right hand from Dubois has AJ staggering backwards with his hands far too low from the opening bell.
Joshua made to pay for the mistake as he circles out with his hands down and gets dropped by an overhand right.
ROUND 2
Joshua – saved only by the bell after being floored – struggles to get going as he takes shots to the face.
AJ is tottering and teetering around the ring with his guard again dangerously low and inviting pressure on.
Joshua is attempting to get back into the bout but his jab looks far too lazy – he doesn’t look to have recovered from the knockdown.
ROUND 3
AJ comes out with more intent but swings wildly with a right and connects with only thin air.
Dubois pours on the pressure and hammers Joshua into the corner scoring another knockdown.
The bell sounds but Dubois lands one or two afterwards – again AJ is saved by the clock as the writing looks on the wall.
ROUND 4
Disaster strikes again with Joshua floored once more – losing his balance as he touches the canvas.
The referee gives AJ another fighting chance and Dubois lands a low blow – giving the challenger some valuable respite.
Dubois slows down as four rounds come to a close with Joshua showing sensational resilience to hang in there.
ROUND 5
Joshua lands a huge right hand and Dubois legs buckle – an astonishing turnaround looks to be on the cards.
AJ pins Dubois onto the ropes and attempts one of his signature uppercuts but the countering right hand gets there first.
Joshua is caught flush on the chin, dropped once more and this time out for good. Dubois scores a stunning KO win.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
