Anthony Joshua won't get his shot at redemption against Daniel Dubois right away. The two heavyweights fought in September for the IBF belt, with Dubois coming out on top.
Joshua entered the fight hoping to become a three-time world champion. He lost his belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and couldn't win them back in their 2022 rematch.
The fight with Dubois started badly for Joshua. Dubois knocked him down in the first round. Joshua struggled to recover and hit the canvas several more times before the referee stopped the fight in the fifth round.
After the loss, Joshua said he wanted an immediate rematch. But things have changed. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, now says Joshua has some minor injuries. He won't be ready to fight again in February as planned.
Dubois still wants to get back in the ring in February. His promoter, Frank Warren, will announce his next opponent later this week.
Former world champion Tony Bellew shared his thoughts on the situation with iFL TV.
"Listen, can't credit Daniel Dubois enough. Didn't see that coming, give him all the credit in the world, simple as that."
Bellew thinks the rematch will happen eventually, even if not in February. He advised Dubois' team to keep him busy but be careful about his defense and choice of opponents. Bellew described Dubois as a confidence fighter who's tough to handle when he's on top.
As for Joshua, Bellew had this to say:
"As for AJ and the rematch. I think he knows where he's at. He knows he needs to show us something he has done before. Wind back the clock, simple as that. Why not do it again? He's done it once before, just repeat. It's not new to him, it's not a shock to him, he's done it before and come out the other side."
Bellew was referring to Joshua's successful rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. Joshua will need to show that same ability to bounce back if he wants to reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division.
