Daniel Dubois won an early victory in the fourth round over Trevor Bryan last Saturday in Miami. At stake was the title of "regular" WBA heavyweight champion. This belt is not considered a real world title, but represents a "golden ticket" for Dubois, who is now the mandatory contender for the winner of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua this summer.
"That puts me in a good position to win this fight," DuBois told BoxingScene.com. “It will be a good fight. I hope AJ wins it. I feel like it will be a great fight."
Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) won the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles by defeating Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) last September at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. They are now due for a rematch this August, and Saudi Arabia remains the most likely venue for it so far. Dubois (18-1, 17 KOs) may hope for a title fight right away, but definitely not, as he may be required to make a mandatory title defense in anticipation of a fight for the main prize.
Hughie Fury (26-3, 15 KOs) and Michael Hunter (20-1-2, 14 KOs) are due to meet in a WBA qualifier on July 2 at the AO Arena in Manchester. Hunter was second in the Association rankings, and Fury, cousin of reigning WBC champion Tyson Fury (31-0-1, 22 KOs), was fourth at the time of Dubois' victory over Bryan. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for the Dubois title, although he may not get his chance to contest the title until next spring.
That would have given Dubois time to make at least one voluntary title defense at home, against compatriot Dillian Whyte or former WBO world champion Joseph Parker, for example. It also gives his team enough time to prepare for a bigger fight.
“Beating Brian puts him in a position where this whole heavyweight thing with Joshua, Usyk and all the rest is falling apart,” said promoter Frank Warren. “Whoever defeats AJ and Usyk in a fight will also become the WBA champion and will have to defend his title with Dubois.”
