Daniel Dubois is plotting a path toward a heavyweight superfight with Tyson Fury, believing the pair could meet in a blockbuster all-British clash if both emerge victorious from their upcoming contests.
The WBO world champion sees Fury as an inevitable future opponent, particularly given his own history against Anthony Joshua. Dubois has already defeated Joshua by knockout and views a meeting with Fury as the natural next step in his career trajectory.
What a fight that would be. It's like me and AJ all over again. That sort of magnitude. That's what boxing's about really. Frank [Warren, their promoter] would love it, he's got both of us. I've got to come through my next fight and anything's possible, Dubois told Sky Sports News.
Fury is scheduled to face Joshua on December 11 in Cardiff, a long-awaited heavyweight collision between two of British boxing's biggest names. According to ESPN, the bout will take place at the Principality Stadium and will be broadcast on Netflix, with the fighters sharing a $200 million purse and no rematch clause in place.
When asked to predict the outcome of the Joshua-Fury showdown, Dubois backed the Gypsy King.
I think Fury. Everyone's been talking about this fight for such a long time. It'll be good to see them both get into the ring. Two legends of British boxing, he said.
However, Dubois was quick to emphasise that his immediate focus remains on his own challenge.
Let's be real, I don't even care about that fight. I'm not looking past Fabio at all. One fight at a time. I'm just dedicating myself 100 percent to this fight and he's a true competitor, a true warrior and I'm just looking forward to getting in there and giving the fans another great fight.
Dubois will rematch Fabio Wardley on October 17 at London's O2 Arena, with the bout available on DAZN pay-per-view. According to ESPN UK, the rematch will see Dubois defend his WBO heavyweight title against his challenger.
The first encounter between the two heavyweights was a dramatic affair. Dubois was knocked down twice early in the fight but showed remarkable resilience to recover and ultimately force a stoppage. According to Reuters, referee Howard Foster halted the contest 28 seconds into round 11 as Wardley was bleeding heavily and his right eye was nearly shut.
Wardley activated his contractual rematch option in the days following that defeat, seeking to reclaim the title and avenge the first loss of his professional career. Dubois believes the referee should have intervened sooner in their first meeting.
They were gambling with him. Obviously he's known for getting bashed up and coming back so that's what they must have been gambling on. But I'm a different animal and I just keep getting stronger as the rounds go on, Dubois explained.
The Londoner is confident he will produce an even more dominant performance in the rematch.
We're just going to do even better than the first time. You'll see on the night, he warned.
Dubois intends to finish the fight more decisively this time around.
A bit quicker, a bit more clinical. I can't wait to get back in there again and stick it on him again, he said.
