The Brit has identified three potential names ahead of his next fight in the ring, with his last outing coming back in September when he brutally knocked out Joshua
Daniel Dubois is planning on a return to action this summer (Image: Getty Images)
Heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has revealed a three-man hit-list for his next fight – which includes a rematch with Anthony Joshua. Dubois hasn’t fought since he brutally knocked Joshua out last September at Wembley Stadium.
The British star was due to face Joseph Parker back in February, but pulled out of the clash just a few days before they were due to meet in the ring after falling ill. The Kiwi would go on to stop rising contender Martin Bakole in Riyadh.
Immediately after the win, Parker called for a shot at Oleksandr Usyk. However, just days after the event in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian was ordered by the WBO to make a mandatory defence of the belt against the 33-year-old. That said, there could be scenario where ‘The Cat’ could instead go into a fight with Dubois.
‘Triple D’ was in attendance for Joe Joyce’s defeat to Filip Hrgovic in Manchester and was eager to provide an update on his future. “Well, those are the names I want. Usyk, Parker or AJ,” he told talkSPORT.
“One of the big three. That’s what I’m after right now…I heard a lot of people saying that after the Parker thing, that I’m ducking people. But right now I just want to deck someone…Line them up for me.
“I want them. Stay tuned, guys. I’m coming back soon. I can’t wait to get back in there – firing on all cylinders…back with a vengeance. I can’t wait.”
Despite the Brit’s comments, the IBF have potentially thrown a spanner in the works after confirming that they will order Dubois to defend against Derek Chisora by June 21, with the mandatory to be called on April 22. A spokesperson for the IBF told The Ring: “Derek Chisora is the mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois but the mandatory bout is due to be ordered on April 22. There is not enough time for an eliminator since Dubois’ mandatory is due on June 21.”
After mentioning the three aforementioned names, it seems as if Dubois may be leaning towards a clash with Usyk and is even targeting a July date at Wembley Stadium in London. Speaking to the Ring Magazine, he said: “Definitely July, a big fight in July against Usyk. That’s what I want. There’s talks, negotiations happening behind the scenes, the two teams are going back and forth. I’m just doing my job as a fighter and staying ready and getting prepared for when I get a call on whoever is next, I’m ready to unleash hell.
“The Usyk fight [at Wembley] would be like the AJ fight but way bigger, the biggest fight in the world. That’s the fight that really excites me and there’s revenge there as well. The Usyk fight for undisputed would create history, that would be a massive historic event. Just like the AJ fight, the build-up at Leicester Square, it would just be amazing to be a part of that sort of fight. I’ll be the man to stop him, I just see it. I’ll be the first man to beat him. Fight news is coming soon.”
