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Anthony Joshua given 48-hour deadline to accept Daniel Dubois rematch for February after crushing KO defeat


FRANK WARREN has given Anthony Joshua two days to take up his offer of a February rematch with Daniel Dubois.

AJ was stunned by Dubois in their Best of British dust-up at Wembley Stadium in September.

Anthony Joshua has been challenged to agree to a February rematch with Daniel DuboisCredit: PA
AJ was KO’d in the pair’s September showdown at WembleyCredit: PA
Dubois’s promoter Frank Warren has sent a message to the Joshua campCredit: PA

Joshua hit the canvas FOUR times as Triple D showed off his devastating power in front of 96,000 fight fans.

The 27-year-old eventually forced victory in the fifth round as AJ’s corner threw in the towel.

Joshua initially maintained that he would box Dubois again in a 2025 rematch, shelving any talk of retirement.

The pair had been expected to fight again in Saudi Arabia next February.

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But AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn claimed last month the turnaround was too quick for his man.

Warren has now challenged Joshua to rise to the challenge and accept the fight within the next 48 hours if he wants to win back his belts.

Asked if the fight was “dead in the water,” Dubois’ promoter Warren replied to iFLTV: “Unless [AJ] gets back to us in the next 48 hours, yes.

“I’d like to make an announcement tomorrow, if possible.

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“But I don’t think we’ll be doing anything for the next week.”

Reports suggest Joshua is currently carrying injuries and would prefer to wait until May to fight again.

Anthony Joshua brutally told his career is ‘OVER’ as boxing promoter suggests final ‘good’ fight after Dubois KO

Barry Hearn, dad of Joshua’s promoter Eddie, told The Mirror: “I think Dubois is dangerous and he’s going to be super confident after the last job.

“I still believe AJ would probably beat him in a rematch if he boxed differently, but that’s just my opinion.

“More likely, a sensible person doesn’t rush anything.

How AJ punched his way to the top

ANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.

“You take your time. But he’s his own man and he’s gonna make his own call.

“And I guess my gut feeling is the warrior still burns within Anthony Joshua and he will want to try once more.

“My crystal ball starts to clear every now and again. A Daniel Dubois rematch would be a big fight.”

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Last month, 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 Triple D and Fabio Wardley.


Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk


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