Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF Heavyweight World Title in February 2025. The 27-year-old British champion has set his sights on a big fight for his next outing.
Dubois' path to the title wasn't straightforward. He first became the interim champion with an impressive win over Filip Hrgovic. The full title came his way when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt. Usyk had previously beaten Dubois, so this turn of events was a stroke of luck for the young fighter.
The hard-hitting Brit silenced his doubters in his first title defense. He scored a fifth-round knockout victory over Anthony Joshua, cementing his status as a top heavyweight.
For his upcoming defense, several names have been in the mix. An immediate rematch with Joshua was considered, but Joshua's team pulled out due to injuries. They're hoping for a shot later in the year.
In an unexpected turn, negotiations started with Wladimir Klitschko. The 48-year-old former champion, who retired in 2017, was eyeing a chance to break George Foreman's record as the oldest heavyweight champion. Foreman set that record at 45 years old.
"Klitschko was in talks to challenge Dubois,"reported Jeff Powell of The Daily Mail. However, those talks were abandoned in the wake of Mike Tyson's controversial ring return against Jake Paul. It's unclear if the fight would have been sanctioned.
Joseph Parker now stands as the most likely opponent for Dubois. Parker's recent wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang have put him in a strong position for a title shot.
Other potential challengers include Zhilei Zhang, Martin Bakole, and Agit Kabayel. All three are listed in the IBF's top fifteen.
Dubois has made it clear that he's only interested in big fights from now on. With his youth and power, he's poised to make a significant impact in the heavyweight division. February 2025 will be his chance to prove once again that he belongs at the top.
