Daniel Dubois’ upset win towards Anthony Joshua on Saturday has not solely foiled his rival’s big-fight plans but in addition shaken up the complete division, the BBC reported, yesterday.
Joshua was anticipated to battle with Tyson Fury in a battle value over £50 million for every of the fighters, however AJ’s loss appear to have scuttled the plans.
There is just one world title battle that we all know for positive is occurring – Usyk-Fury 2 in Saudi Arabia on 21 December.The battle holds the important thing to the way forward for the division. Fury is out for revenge, his legacy hinging on whether or not he can come again and beat Oleksandr Usyk. However Usyk, with a win, might convincingly cement his place as this period’s greatest heavyweight.
Victory for Fury may set off a 3rd and deciding battle. May that imply a belt could be vacated like Usyk gave up the IBF title after the undisputed battle in Could?
Not one of the different main heavyweights have fights scheduled. Joseph Parker, Dubois, and Joshua will wait to see what occurs in December earlier than making a call.
No necessary challenger is ready within the wings after Usyk vacated the IBF belt. The solutions to what may occur subsequent will come from the negotiations and jockeying for place amongst this group, however most likely not till after Fury and Usyk battle.
Group Dubois says that the 27-year-old heavyweight will take the remainder of the yr off after 4 fights in 13 months. A second battle with AJ is on the playing cards, though there is no such thing as a computerized rematch clause out there to Joshua as beforehand thought.
Dubois’ most well-liked battle could be a rematch towards Usyk after a dramatic defeat in Poland final yr. He can be hopeful his declare to battle the Usyk-Fury winner can be sturdy, regardless of the consequence. Promoter Frank Warren says that he’s pleased to match Dubois with Usyk even when the Ukrainian loses. There’s additionally the potential for a battle with Parker, who’s the opposite present high contender within the division.
Ought to Fury win, it might imply a 3rd and deciding battle for him towards Usyk or a mouth-watering all-British undisputed battle with Dubois. Joshua faces a crossroads in his profession. However his case to enter an enormous battle immediately continues to be sturdy. He simply bought out Wembley, alongside Dubois, with over 95,000 in attendance.
Whereas Dubois could also be eyeing the winner of Usyk-Fury, Joshua might goal the loser. Ought to Fury undergo one other defeat it might be time for the long-awaited battle.
Regardless of the prospect of Fury-Joshua showing to slide away but once more on Saturday, at ringside there was one other perspective. A flabbergasted Fury mentioned: “That’s price me £150m” because the battle was waved off. He was talking to his supervisor, Spencer Brown, who tellingly replied: “No, you’re nonetheless preventing him.”So, it seems that the battle, which nonetheless has big attraction, might but go forward. Joshua has another battle on his cope with Riyadh Season that he can be anticipated to honor.
It means Joshua will battle once more, however we received’t know precisely who he’ll face – an enormous identify or simpler comeback opponent – till Usyk-Fury 2 has occurred.Because the mud settles on a dramatic occasion, one factor is obvious: a brand new period is quick approaching.
Dubois is the one top-ranked heavyweight in his 20s. Fury, 36, has toyed with retiring however returned to the ring. Wilder is 38, and on a two-fight dropping streak, whereas Joshua is 34 and dealing with one other comeback.
Usyk’s future continues to be the topic of hypothesis. He’s the perfect, and oldest, of the present champions at 37. Amongst different high contenders, Zhilei Zhang is 41. Parker is 32.
No matter occurs in 2025, regardless of the seemingly infinite permutations, Dubois represents the way forward for the division, whereas Joshua appears to belong to the earlier period.
If Dubois is to proceed headlining stadium fights, bringing in million-pound paydays and entertaining legions of followers, he wants his personal contemporaries past Joshua, Usyk and Fury. And they’re but to emerge.
