Daniel Dubois looks to resume his scintillating surge as he prepares to collide with former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker on February 22.
The 27-year-old will defend his IBF title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring on a stacked card headlined by Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol’s undisputed light heavyweight rematch.
In his last outing, the Brit secured a fifth-round stoppage victory over two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, producing one of his most destructive performances.
But now, Daniel Dubois is eager to get his hands on the undisputed crown, targeting the winner of Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury’s rematch on December 21.
Daniel Dubois insists he is not overlooking Joseph Parker
Even before his demolition against Joshua, Dubois bounced back from his crushing defeat to Usyk with emphatic victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
And so, a willingness to take on the top contenders of his division has earned him a fearsome reputation to compliment his pulverizing power.
But against Joseph Parker, a seasoned campaigner with remarkable durability, ‘Dynamite’ must remain laser focused on the task at hand.
Parker, after all, comes off a terrific run of form himself, outpointing former WBC titlist Deontay Wilder and hard-hitting southpaw Zhilei Zhang in his last two outings.
Not only that, but the New Zealander appears to be a vastly more determined version of his former self after linking up with esteemed trainer Andy Lee.
But while he remains aware of his opponent’s strengths, Dubois has nonetheless expressed a desire to take on the winner of Usyk vs. Fury 2
“I’m coming for their belts,” he told Sky Sports. “The top guys, I want them. I want them all.
“Just keep coming through them, then eventually I’ll be right up there, undisputed. That’s my goal.”
“But I’m not overlooking Parker. He’ll be fighting just as hard as I am. Never overlook anyone. Deal with him first and then we can move on to that one.”
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Daniel Dubois could be ordered to fight the winner of Martin Bakole vs. Efe Ajagba
While the prospect of becoming undisputed champion remains firmly within his sights, Dubois may be ordered to defend his title should he overcome a stern test against Parker.
The IBF have ordered a final eliminator between Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba – two prolific knockout artists – to decide Dubois’ mandatory challenger.
Regardless of whether the clash takes place, though, Bakole is due his shot at world honors after dispatching highly touted prospect Jared Anderson.
So now, it would appear that Dubois’ route to a potential four-belt dustup is not so straightforward after all.