Joshua, who faced a fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois in September at Wembley Stadium after being knocked down four times, was originally scheduled for a rematch in February in Saudi Arabia. However, concerns regarding injuries within Joshua’s camp have raised questions about the timeline, leading him to contemplate delaying his return until May.
By that time, Fury may have concluded his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, potentially paving the way for a long-anticipated clash between Joshua and Fury.
Barry Hearn, the father of Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, suggested that Joshua should hold off on facing Dubois for the moment. In an interview with The Mirror, Hearn stated, “Dubois is a formidable opponent and will be brimming with confidence after the last encounter. I believe AJ could secure a victory in a rematch if he approaches it differently, but that’s merely my perspective. It’s prudent not to rush. Take your time, but ultimately, the decision rests with him.”
Hearn further remarked, “If Usyk defeats Fury — which I believe is possible, perhaps even by stoppage — the most logical choice would be a fight with Fury.” Tyson Fury, who lost his WBC title and undefeated status to Usyk in May, could become Joshua’s main target if Usyk wins their upcoming rematch. Meanwhile, Dubois has been elevated from interim champion following Usyk’s relinquishment of the IBF belt to proceed with the rematch.
Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, indicated that the Joshua rematch may not be forthcoming. In a conversation with BoxNation, Warren mentioned, “I don’t foresee that happening next. We’re assessing our options and should reach a decision soon. I had hoped for a quick resolution, but it hasn’t materialized as expected.
“We’re hearing that Joshua may be injured. If that’s the case, the rematch appears unlikely. However, with all due respect, our focus remains on Daniel Dubois. We aim to have him back in the ring by February 22.”
The recent developments present Joshua with a decision: he can either bide his time for a possible showdown with Fury or take the chance on a rematch with Dubois sooner. Regardless of his choice, the upcoming months are set to be pivotal in determining the future direction of the British heavyweight contender.