Daniel Dubois is set to defend his IBF world heavyweight title in February, regardless of whether his rematch with Anthony Joshua comes to fruition.
The 27-year-old scored one of this year’s biggest upsets last month, annihilating two-time heavyweight king Anthony Joshua with a stunning fifth-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium.
Since then, Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn has teased the possibility of staging a rematch between the two Brits early next year.
But now, Joshua’s long-term promoter has instead told Sky Sports that the date in February – which Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren has alluded to – is perhaps somewhat unrealistic.
Either way, the IBF have confirmed that Daniel Dubois is eligible to make a voluntary defense of his trinket, selecting from any of the potential opponents within their top 15 rankings.
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Daniel Dubois vs Zhilei Zhang
Before long, Dubois will be ordered to defend his title against the winner of Martin Bakole vs Agit Kabayel, a final eliminator to decide his mandatory challenger.
Until then, formidable puncher ‘Big Bang’ Zhang could make for an explosive matchup against ‘Dynamite.’
Zhang, of course, comes off a punishing fifth-round stoppage victory over former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder.
What is more, the Chinaman has already called out Dubois, insisting that he would dispatch him in devastating fashion.
Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley
Fabio Wardley comes off an emphatic display against Frazer Clarke, brutally stopping the Olympic bronze medallist with a one-round beatdown.
Prior to his rematch with Clarke, the unbeaten contender inked a deal with Warren, hoping that the Queensberry Promotions boss can navigate him towards a world title shot.
And so, with the two heavyweight sluggers campaigning under the same promotional banner, a showdown between Dubois and Wardley would, if nothing else, make for a thrilling spectacle.
Daniel Dubois vs Derek Chisora
Derek Chisora has been a long-serving member of the British fight fraternity, always providing value for money with his fan-friendly, marauding style.
The 40-year-old comes off an impressive victory over Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce, but nonetheless remains just a whisker away from the jaws of retirement.
And yet, despite entering the final few fights of his action-packed career, Chisora, another of Queensberry’s heavyweights, still somehow represents a viable option in place of Joshua.
That said, it has been heavily mooted that the Brit will face Jarrell Miller in January, but may yet reconsider his options if the opportunity to face Dubois is presented to him.