Daniel Dubois is set to announce his return to the ring.
‘DDD’ is the current IBF Heavyweight World Champion having been elevated from Interim to Full titleholder last year when Oleksandr Usyk – who previously beat Dubois in 2023 – vacated the belt.
The 27-year-old Brit got himself in pole position with stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, showing fans that had questions about his heart and grit that there was plenty of it. His first defence was a career best performance: an emphatic knockout of two-time champion Anthony Joshua.
Dubois is very much leading the charge for the new generation of heavyweights as the likes of ‘AJ’, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk come to the end of their careers. It is no secret that he wants a rematch with the Ukrainian – who has made it clear he has two fights left – and told Podlounge UK that he will help that process along.
“I’ll smash him next time, smash him for sure. It’ll be a good fight but I’m a different fighter now, every fight I’ve had has improved me and I’m battle-hardened, whoever wants it can get it. These guys they’re getting older so I’ll send them all into retirement.”
Though a report initially suggested that the fight was close to being finalised for July 12 at Wembley Stadium, both teams were keen to put the brakes on any further speculation.
However, it remains the most likely match-up, giving Usyk a chance to become two-time undisputed in the division, and an announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
The rematch will be sold on the controversy surrounding Dubois’ low blow in their first encounter, his only proper success in the fight, which saw Usyk recovering on the canvas for minutes. Usyk, who still holds the WBA, WBO and WBC belts, then took over and stopped the Brit in the ninth round.
