Anthony Joshua might get another shot at Daniel Dubois, and Tony Bellew thinks Joshua's got the edge. The former cruiserweight world champion believes Joshua's skills give him the advantage, but he's quick to point out that the fighter's mindset will play a big role.
This prediction comes after Dubois shocked the boxing world by knocking out Joshua in their September 2024 clash. Dubois, who was the IBF champion and one of the division's top performers, put Joshua down hard in the first round and finished the job in the fifth.
Before that fight, Joshua had been on a comeback trail. He'd picked up wins against Francis Ngannou, Otto Wallin, and Robert Helenius - all by knockout. These victories helped him rebuild after losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk.
Bellew shared his thoughts on a possible rematch during an interview with First Round TV.
"If they were to have a rematch I'd favour Josh going in. He has better attributes than Daniel Dubois, but it's all about the mindset."
After the loss, Joshua took some time off to recover from an injury. He'd hoped to set up a fight with Tyson Fury, but that plan hit a snag when Fury retired at the start of the year. Now, Joshua might end up facing Joseph Parker if Fury stays out of the ring.
Dubois has had his own challenges since the big win. He was set to fight Joseph Parker in February, but that bout got cancelled when he fell ill. Now, he's been ordered to defend his title against 49-fight veteran Derek Chisora. But there's a good chance his next fight will be against Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed crown.
The first Joshua-Dubois fight was a turning point in both men's careers. A rematch would surely be a big draw for boxing fans, especially with Joshua looking to prove he's still got what it takes to be at the top of the heavyweight division.
