After winning the IBF interim heavyweight title with an eighth-round knockout victory over Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday night in Riyadh, Daniel Dubois said Anthony Joshua is his “next step” and that he is “going to get it.” Dubois is confident he can beat Joshua.
Joshua is looking to win the IBF title and will be fighting Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) for the title. The interim IBF title that Dubois won on Saturday night could be elevated to a permanent title, which would make the Joshua-Dubois fight even bigger.
Dubois's swift response
If Joshua agrees to fight the 26-year-old Dubois, the two would meet at Wembley Stadium in September. Luckily for Dubois, he didn't suffer any cuts in his win over Hrgovic, which would have made it difficult for him to recover in time for the September bout with Joshua.
As things stand, three months is a quick turnaround for Dubois to return to the ring and fight Joshua in September, but the money could make it worth it.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has not commented on whether AJ will accept the fight against Dubois. He said he needs to discuss it with His Excellency tonight. If His Excellency wants the fight to happen, Joshua will face Dubois according to His Excellency's wishes.
Dubois's decision
“That's the next step. I can't put it into words, but I'm happy to get through tonight. Tonight was a fight,” Daniel Dubois told 2ndSouto of wanting to fight Anthony Joshua next, after stopping Filip Hrgovic in the eighth round in Riyadh to win the IBF interim heavyweight title.
It will be interesting to see if Joshua accepts the Dubois fight because if he chooses not to fight Dubois it will hurt his reputation, he risks losing a lot of money by fighting Dubois, it puts the Fury fight in jeopardy but it would be a huge payday for AJ.
“I had him tired after the last round, but it was a great fight. He's a beast,” Dubois said. “I have full respect for him. He's a top fighter. He'll come back. He's a good fighter. I showed what I can do tonight. My dad and Frank Warren helped me out.”
“Look guys, I'm gonna be ready,” Dubois said when asked how he would beat Joshua.
