Anthony Joshua suffered a catastrophic knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois misplaced month as his plans to turn out to be a three-time world champion got here crashing down in dramatic style. Instantaneously, each he and Eddie Hearn have known as for a rematch, though it seems as if an harm might have hampered his plans.
‘AJ’ stepped by way of the ropes underneath the Wembley arch with the expectation of changing into boxing’s fifth three-time heavyweight champion however he was as an alternative dispatched with relative ease by underdog Dubois.
From the opening bell onwards, ‘Triple D’ took the initiative and got down to show why he was a worthy IBF world champion – and that he did.
A primary-round knockdown set the tone for proceedings, and it was one-way site visitors from there on out, because the poster boy of British boxing was dropped on 4 events, the final of which left Joshua laid face-first on the canvas and unable to beat the depend.
Regardless of the one-sided dismissal of Joshua, the 35-year-old challenger has maintained that he needs to satisfy with Dubois for a second time and stage the scores, hopeful {that a} win might additionally tee-up the long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury – presumably even for the undisputed heavyweight title.
Because of Fury’s unified title bout with Usyk in December, Joshua would realistically have to rematch Dubois in February in order that he and Fury’s timelines align for a battle in mid 2025.
Nonetheless, Eddie Hearn informed Sky Sports activities that Joshua is carrying some minor accidents that makes a February return seem too fast of a turnaround, including {that a} rematch with Dubois in Might can be ‘best’.
“Our concern in the intervening time is simply timing,”
“You’ve bought just a few little niggles, you get them checked out after which you’ll be able to’t punch once more for 4, 5 weeks. If we’re going to combat him in February, we have to begin camp in about three weeks’ time. It’s fairly a quick turnaround.”
“Ideally we’d wish to return round Might time. It does really feel as if it’s approaching fairly shortly.
“From a physique perspective we might in all probability do with a little bit bit extra time ideally. Generally it’s not best and also you simply go for it. However we simply have to determine are we going to be prepared.
“[Joshua] has informed me categorically: ‘I would like the rematch.’ Nevertheless it’s only a case of whether or not he’s going to be prepared for February and that’s one thing they’re going to should determine.
“It’s not dominated out. However we do respect it’s a quick turnaround.”
As for Dubois, he and Frank Warren are raring to go and stuffed with confidence after the brutal beatdown that the IBF heavyweight champion handed his fellow Brit only a few weeks in the past, and with Tyson Fury seeming to rule himself out of a gathering with Dubois, the Joshua rematch stays as his most profitable proposal.
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