Veteran British heavyweight Derek Chisora has identified Joe Joyce as the fighter he believes would present the most formidable challenge to Daniel Dubois. This assessment, made during a September 2024 interview with Boxing Social, comes even as Dubois cemented his standing as a leading force in the heavyweight division with a dominant second-round stoppage over Fabio Wardley.
Dubois, known as ‘Triple D’, delivered a brutal performance against Wardley at the O2 Arena on October 17, 2026. He secured a knockdown just 17 seconds into the contest, quickly overwhelming his opponent. Wardley’s trainer, Ben Davison, ultimately threw in the towel during the second round, preventing further punishment for the Ipswich-based fighter. Daniel Dubois’s recent victory has certainly enhanced his reputation.
Joe Joyce: The Toughest Challenge for Daniel Dubois
This decisive win marked a significant turn for Dubois, who had previously stopped Wardley five months prior in an eleventh-round bout. That first encounter was a grueling affair, with Wardley absorbing considerable damage.
Chisora, speaking to Jack Figg in the lead-up to the latest Wardley fight, suggested Wardley wasn’t adequately prepared for the rematch, stating, “He didn’t train, let’s be honest, he didn’t train enough, he was not on point.”
Despite Dubois’s current form, Chisora remains firm on his earlier assessment of Joe Joyce. In that September 24, 2024, interview with Boxing Social, Chisora unequivocally stated, “The toughest fight for Daniel Dubois is Joe Joyce.” He elaborated on his reasoning, highlighting Joyce’s physical attributes and fighting style.
Chisora explained, “Because Joe Joyce is a big man, he’s got a good chin, he’s got a good engine, and he’s got a good jab.” He also noted that Joyce “doesn’t stop coming forward,” a relentless pressure that could trouble any opponent. This deep insight from Chisora, a seasoned heavyweight himself, underscores the unique threat Joyce poses.
The history between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce is well-documented and deeply personal. Joyce defeated Dubois via a tenth-round knockout in November 2020, a fight that saw Dubois suffer a fractured orbital bone in his left eye.
However, Chisora believes Dubois has evolved considerably since that setback, saying, “Daniel Dubois has changed a lot since then. He’s a different fighter now.” A rematch, which Chisora described as a “great fight” and a “big fight for the fans,” would certainly be a compelling narrative of redemption and growth.
Filip Hrgovic: An Arduous Option for Dubois
More recently, following Dubois’s win over Wardley, Chisora offered a contemporary perspective on potential future opponents. He declared that while he doesn’t see anyone defeating Dubois at present, a rematch with Filip Hrgovic would be the “most arduous option” for his next outing. “Right now, I don’t see anybody [beating Daniel Dubois].
Maybe somebody who might give him some trouble would be Hrgovic, but right now nobody can beat him,” Chisora stated.
Filip Hrgovic, the current International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight champion, holds an impressive professional record of 21 wins (16 by knockout) against just one loss from 22 total fights. His most recent victory came against Moses Itauma in August 2026. Hrgovic’s blend of Olympic amateur pedigree and professional power makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division, including Dubois.
This isn’t the first time Daniel Dubois and Filip Hrgovic have met in the ring. Dubois previously delivered Hrgovic his sole professional defeat, an eighth-round stoppage on June 1, 2024, to claim the interim IBF heavyweight title.
This history adds another layer to Chisora’s recent assessment, suggesting that a rematch, despite Dubois’s previous victory, would still be a challenging proposition with higher stakes as both now hold major titles.
A Past Wembley Stadium Clash
Daniel Dubois previously fought Anthony Joshua on September 21, 2024, for the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium in London. This monumental clash represented a crucial step in Dubois’s quest to unify the heavyweight division. Dubois held the IBF title from 2024 to 2025, a period that solidified his position as a dominant champion.
Dubois’s Resurgent Form and Future Outlook
Daniel Dubois has indeed demonstrated remarkable resilience and improvement since his loss to Joe Joyce in 2020. That fractured orbital bone forced a period of introspection and reconstruction for the young pugilist. Under the guidance of his training teams, Dubois has refined his technique, improved his defense, and strengthened his mental fortitude.
He’s shed the perception of vulnerability some observers once held, emerging as a more mature and strategically adept fighter. His back-to-back victories over Fabio Wardley, particularly the ruthless efficiency of the recent rematch, exemplify this evolution. He didn’t just win; he dominated, showcasing an aggressive yet controlled style that few heavyweights can match.
Dubois currently holds the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title, a testament to his journey.
His next return to action is expected in February 2027. While no opponent has been confirmed, Moses Itauma has been linked as the WBO mandatory challenger for Dubois’s heavyweight title. The WBO president Gustavo Olivieri reportedly recommended Itauma for the position, setting up another potentially demanding encounter for Dubois.
The Shifting Heavyweight Landscape
The heavyweight division remains one of boxing’s most dynamic and unpredictable categories. As of October 2026, Daniel Dubois holds the WBO title, while Filip Hrgovic is the IBF champion. Oleksandr Usyk currently holds both the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) titles.
This fragmented championship picture sets the stage for a series of potential unification bouts, with Dubois firmly positioned at the heart of these discussions.
Filip Hrgovic’s immediate future is also taking shape. He is currently penciled in for a title defense on home soil in Croatia against Cuba’s Frank Sanchez. This fight, targeted for early 2027 in Zagreb, would mark Croatia’s first world heavyweight title bout.
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has mandated this clash to take place by March 1, 2027. Sanchez, who previously stepped aside, is now exercising his mandatory shot, refusing further delays. Tony Bellew has also assessed heavyweight prospects.
Derek Chisora, known affectionately as “Del Boy,” is a veteran of the heavyweight division himself. With a professional record of 36 wins (23 by knockout) and 14 losses, he’s faced a litany of top-tier opponents throughout his career, including two challenges for the WBC heavyweight title.
His extensive experience lends considerable weight to his pronouncements within the boxing community, as he possesses a deep understanding of the pressures and demands at the elite level. Derek Chisora’s own career has been defined by his willingness to take on all comers.
The opinions of experienced fighters like Chisora offer valuable insights into the complexity and depth of talent within the sport. Dubois’s journey promises more explosive encounters in the months and years to come. The heavyweight division is ripe with possibilities, and Dubois is right in the thick of it, continually facing formidable opponents and solidifying his place among the elite.
