Dubois didn't waste time after his big win. He's already set to defend his title against Joseph Parker on February 22, 2025. The young champ has big plans for the future, with his sights set on unifying the division.
"I want Parker first, then Usyk for all the belts, and I'd love to fight Martin Bakole too," Dubois said after the Joshua fight. "I'm here to take on the best and prove I'm number one."
If Dubois beats Parker, he could get his shot at undisputed status against Oleksandr Usyk, the current three-belt heavyweight champion.
For Joshua, this loss was a tough blow to his comeback plans. The former two-time world champion decided to recover from small injuries instead of pushing for an immediate rematch with Dubois. He had hoped for a big money fight with long-time British rival Tyson Fury, but that's now off the table with Fury's retirement in January 2025.
While Dubois looks ahead to Parker, the division keeps moving. Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba are set to fight in May 2025 in an IBF final eliminator. The winner will become the mandatory challenger for Dubois' IBF title. Sky Sports confirmed the fight will take place in the USA.
Fans have welcomed Dubois' willingness to take on tough fights. As DAZN's Ade Oladipo noted on Twitter, "Dubois is doing what a champion should - fighting the best out there. It's great to see."
With Dubois defending against Parker, Bakole and Ajagba battling for the mandatory spot, and Usyk holding the other belts, the heavyweight division promises plenty of action in 2025.