Dubois won’t rule out Joshua rematch

Daniel Dubois is open to a rematch with Anthony Joshua, barely 24 hours after the latter hinted at a possible rematch following his defeat at Wembley on Saturday.

The 27-year-old IBF world heavyweight champion retained his title with a demolition of Joshua, flooring the two-time world champion four times before knocking him out in the fifth round.

Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion and return to the division’s top table ended dramatically and unexpectedly, with Dubois dropping him several times before he landed the final blow, a crunching right hand, in Round 5 that saw his English rival fall to the canvas for a fourth career loss.

Immediately after the fight, there were suggestions that Joshua should retire, having lost three of his last four bouts. However, the 34-year-old released a video on social media on Monday, insisting his journey in boxing has not ended, with a potential rematch against Dubois as well as another all-British clash with Tyson Fury possible options in the future.

In an interview with talkSPORT, Dubois said he would love a rematch with either Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, depending on which fighter ‘pays me the most’.

“I would love a rematch, but either one really—whoever pays me the most,” Dubois said on talkSPORT.

Speaking about the possibility of facing Joshua again, Dubois said, “Yeah, if that happens down the line, then yes. If that happens next, then yeah. I want to go for it.

“I want to do it even better next time. I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and as a fighter, I just want to prove people wrong every time, and that is what we have been doing.

“I think I would be a lot better than that (last fight). It was a great show, a Rocky-type fight, but next time I believe I will be more clinical, more sharp, everything better.”

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren maintains that there is no specific clause in his fighter’s contract for a swift rematch with Joshua but hinted they could go toe-to-toe again if the right deal was agreed upon.

Meanwhile, Usyk is set to face Fury in their rematch on December 21 for the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts.

Dubois was beaten by Usyk in August 2023, but not before the Ukrainian was sent to the canvas by Dubois in the fifth round—only for the punch to be ruled a low blow and the champion given extra time to recover.