British heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is on the verge of defending his IBF world title against fellow British boxer Fabio Wardley, as negotiations for a highly anticipated rematch with Anthony Joshua have hit a snag.
Dubois’ journey to the top was marked by a thrilling knockout victory over Joshua at Wembley Stadium in September, demonstrating his formidable punching power and grit in the ring. This impressive performance cemented his status as a top contender, earning him the vacant IBF title after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished it earlier this year.
According to IBF president Daryl Peoples, Dubois has the opportunity to defend his title with an “optional” fight against a ranked opponent before the critical deadline of April 22, 2024. After this date, he will be obligated to engage in a mandatory title defense.
Initially, it seemed that Joshua would secure an immediate rematch, but his promoter, Eddie Hearn, indicated that the proposed fight date in February would be premature given Joshua’s recent performance.
With the rematch against Joshua in disarray, Wardley has emerged as a strong contender for Dubois’ first title defense. This comes on the heels of Wardley’s impressive first-round victory over domestic rival Frazer Clarke at an event in Riyadh in October.
Following his triumph, Wardley expressed his confidence in his ability to compete at the highest level, stating that he is ready to take on the best in the heavyweight division, whether it’s a war or a technical fight, saying, “I’ve got the power to mix it with them all. I can take a shot. I can have a war. You’ve seen me do everything. I’m ready for that world stage now.”
It appears unlikely that Dubois will pursue a unification title shot before meeting his mandatory defense obligation. The highly anticipated bout between Usyk and Tyson Fury, scheduled for December 21, will have a significant impact on the heavyweight landscape, and any potential unification bout featuring Dubois will likely be postponed until the summer of the following year, allowing time for the dust to settle after the Usyk-Fury bout.
