Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois rematch in doubt as two possible alternatives emerge

Anthony Joshua’s projected rematch against Daniel Dubois is present improbable to instrumentality spot successful February with alternate options being considered for the reigning IBF satellite champion.

Dubois produced a stunning show astatine Wembley Stadium successful September, knocking retired Joshua successful the 5th circular to successfully support his title.

A rematch has been discussed for February but with the timepiece ticking, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested the two-time heavyweight champion is improbable to beryllium acceptable successful clip for that date.

‘Our interest astatine the infinitesimal is conscionable timing,’  Hearn told Sky Sports. ‘You’ve got a fewer small niggles, you get them looked astatine and past you can’t punch again for four, 5 weeks. If we’re going to combat him successful February, we request to commencement campy successful astir 3 weeks’ time. It’s rather a accelerated turnaround.’

Hearn has besides suggested Joshua whitethorn similar to hold to spot the result of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch, scheduled for 21 December, earlier plotting his adjacent move.

But Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, inactive plans to person his champion retired again successful February whether it is against Joshua oregon not.

The IBF confirmed this week Dubois is escaped to marque an optional defence of his loop earlier 22 April adjacent twelvemonth against immoderate of their ranked opponents.

Beyond that point, Dubois volition beryllium ordered to fulfil a mandatory rubric defence, apt to beryllium against the victor of the IBF last eliminator betwixt Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel.

Among those fighters is British and Commonwealth champion Fabio Wardley, who produced a devastating knockout triumph implicit Frazer Clarke successful Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

The 29-year-old is besides promoted by Warren, making the task of mounting up an in-house satellite rubric combat for Queensberry Promotions possibly a much straight-forward task.

Joseph Parker could beryllium different sanction successful the frame. The erstwhile WBO champion propelled himself backmost into the satellite rubric conversation with superb victories implicit Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang with his trainer Andy Lee insisting this week ‘Parker is ready’ for the Dubois fight. The New Zealander has not fought since that triumph implicit Zhang successful March.

Zhang himself could besides beryllium an option. Despite that decision to Parker, the Chinese heavyweight bounced backmost with a thrilling knockout triumph implicit Wilder successful June to get backmost to winning ways and respire beingness into his ain satellite rubric prospects.

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