JOE JOYCE has reportedly agreed terms to fight Daniel Dubois in a blockbuster UK heavyweight clash on April 18 at the O2 Arena.
The 2016 Olympic silver medal winner had been due to challenge Germany’s Marco Huck this month for the European belt.
Daniel Dubois is set for an undefeated all-British heavyweight clash with former sparring partner Joe Joyce in April
However, the former world cruiserweight champion was forced to pull out injured, and that title may now be on the line against Dubois.
According to the Athletic, a prospect of a bout with Joyce is now in Dynamite’s court to finalise the showdown that would also see the 22-year-old defend his British and Commonwealth titles.
Both Londoners are edging closer to world title contention, and Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren revealed his plan to match the undefeated fighters.
He told ESPN: “Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are tied up contractually for the next couple fights, so is Anthony Joshua with two mandatories due, so the aim is to keep Daniel busy and get him into a mandatory spot.
“I need to keep stepping him up and we are looking to step him up against Joe Joyce. That’s a great domestic fight, they have both got great knockout records and Joe has got a wealth of experience as an amateur.
“We’re looking at that fight and hopefully will make that next. We’ve asked if that fight will be for the EBU title as well.
“Daniel has got tremendous potential and at this stage he’s as good as any heavyweight out there. I believe we’ve got the best heavyweight in the world in Tyson Fury, and the best young heavyweight in Daniel Dubois.”
Dubois vowed to “bang-up” his old sparring partner Joyce following his explosive win over Kyotaro Fujimoto last month.
However, Warren admitted that he could be forced into fights with Derek Chisora or Dillian Whyte if the bout with the 34-year-old falls through.
The latter was also recently reinstated as the WBC mandatory challenger after being cleared by UK Anti-Doping, but he won’t face Wilder until after the Bronze Bomber’s February rematch with Fury.
Daniel Dubois secures devastating KO win after just two rounds against Kyotaro Fujimoto
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
