With Anthony Joshua reportedly injured and potentially unable to face Dubois on the February 22nd Riyadh Season show, there is much speculation around who could be the next opponent for ‘Dynamite’ Dubois.
This comes after Daniel Dubois handed AJ his fourth career defeat via brutal knockout. Joshua was sent to the canvas in the first round, and never really recovered, being knocked down again in rounds 3, 4, and 5.
With Dubois removing any doubt that he’s deserving of his world title, which he received when the interim title he won against Filip Hrgovic was upgraded, it begs the question – who will Dubois face next?
Dubois Potential Opponents
Joseph Parker
Perhaps the most deserving of a shot at the world title, Joseph Parker is coming off two career highs with a near-shut-out win over Deontay Wilder and a win over the feared ‘Big Bang’ Zhilei Zhang.
On TalkSport today, the 35-3 Aussie spoke on his desire for the Dubois fight, saying,
‘He looked great with vs Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua. But there’s a difference. I’m fresh, I’m hungry and ready to go. I’ve been waiting since March for a big fight, let’s get it on now.’
Parker however did mention that Dubois’ promoters are still asking around to see who will be the best fit.
Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, said of the fight,
‘I like that fight, but there’s a few others there as well. Everybody was focusing on the [Anthony Joshua] rematch, and we know where we are now. We’ve got to sit down as a team and pick the right opponent.’
Fabio Wardley
Following his brutal first-round knockout of Frazer Clarke on the Bivol v Beterbiev undercard in October, Fabio Wardley has entered the Ring Magazine top ten heavyweights, and is set for a big fight next.
Wardley, who comes from a background of only four white-collar fights, could be a potential opponent for Dubois’ next title defense.
Whilst Dubois has welcomed this fight, Frank Warren seems to believe it is a fight to build up to, and not one to stage in February.
Martin Bakole
Martin Bakole is another contender for a shot at the title, after handing Jared Anderson his first devastating defeat on the Crawford v Madrimov undercard.
The emphatic performance made fans around the world put respect on Bakole’s name, calling for a big fight next for the Congolese fighter.
Bakole has been ordered to face Agit Kabayel next in an eliminator to decide who will challenge for Dubois’ crown.
Other Contenders
With Fury and Usyk in camp for their rematch in December, AJ injured, and Hrgovic already beaten by Dubois, there are only six potential opponents in the Ring top ten for Dubois to face:
Joseph Parker, Zhilei Zhang, Agit Kabayel, Martin Bakole, Fabio Wardley and Efe Ajagba.
Some potential options outside of the top ten include Otto Wallin, Dillian Whyte, Frank Sanchez, and Andy Ruiz. After Dubois’ impressive run of form, however, it is unlikely his next opponent will be any of these, as Wallin was only recently defeated by AJ, Whyte is still on the bounce-back from his Fury loss and PED ban, Sanchez was just beaten by Kabayel and Ruiz drew with Jarell Miller.
It is unclear who Dubois will face next, though one of the six potentials would make a great fight.
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