Daniel Dubois believes a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk is ‘lined up’ if he can take care of business against Joseph Parker.
After his demolition job on Anthony Joshua last September, ‘Triple D’ puts his IBF heavyweight title on the line against Parker in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night, part of the dazzling card headlined by the undisputed light-heavyweight title rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua over the last 14 months have seen Dubois rebuild his reputation and climb to the summit of boxing’s blue-riband division.
But the Londoner also has unfinished business with Usyk. Before his titanic meetings with Tyson Fury, the Ukrainian put down Dubois to defend his world titles in front of thousands of his countrymen and women in neighbouring Poland in August 2023.
The jubilant celebrations that night came after major scare in the fifth round when what appeared to be a ferocious body shot from Dubois floored the champion. Instead, it was ruled a low bow with Usyk given almost four minutes to recover. Dubois failed to capitalise and his opponent rediscovered his unerring rhythm to coast to victory.
After two wars with ‘The Gypsy King’, Usyk believes he only has two fights left in the sport before retirement. He hopes one of them will be with Dubois, a bout that would give him the chance to become undisputed king of the heavyweight division for a second time.
Dubois’ focus for now remains firmly on Parker – a man who has made a habit of disrupting boxing’s best-laid plans after his victory over Deontay Wilder in December 2023 derailed plans for ‘The Bronze Bomber’ to fight Joshua at long last.
But the chance of revenge against Usyk is firmly under consideration.
‘Right now, my focus is on my next fight and defeating Parker,’ Dubois told Metro. ‘Then I can think about the future.’
Responding to Usyk’s recent challenge, he added: I’ve got a potential rematch lined up, so I would be open to Usyk next.
‘I feel like I’m just hitting my prime now and there is definitely more to come and many more levels I can reach.’
Fighting Joshua in a rematch at one stage looked locked-in for early 2025 despite the one-sided beatdown the former world champion was on the receiving end of that night at Wembley Stadium last year.
Dubois had his opponent down multiple times in the five-round mauling but the appetite for a second instalment was there and still lingers now.
Minor injuries for Joshua derailed plans for the rematch to happen in February with Eddie Hearn working on securing his fighter’s next opponent.
Whether the rematch happens in the second-half of 2025 remains to be seen but whatever happens, Dubois insists he is now the man people are coming to see.
‘Never say never,’ Dubois said on the possibility of a second showdown with ‘AJ’.
‘I would be open to it happening further down the line. I’m the champion, therefore I am the ‘A side’.
Earlier this year, Dubois signed a deal with performance sportswear brand Montirex.
‘Montirex is a great brand with quality sportswear, and it is fantastic to have their support,’ Dubois said. ‘They have a unique look about them that I really enjoy wearing.’