DANIEL DUBOIS’ next fight will be determined by whoever has the most money – casting doubt over a rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Dubois sensationally knocked out A.J. in the fifth round of a world title fight in front of a British record crowd of 98,000.
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Joshua – who has lost four times in total – has refused to retire, while his promoter Eddie Hearn says a rematch is a possibility.
This historic group of fans also included Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Dubois in nine rounds last year.
And DuBois is seeking revenge, but he admits his immediate future will depend on who brings in the most cash.
he told talkSPORT: “I would love to have a rematch (with Usyk), but really it’s anybody who will pay me more money.
“Also if there’s a next time (rematch with Joshua) then yes. I want to go for it. I want to do even better next time.
“I know where I need to improve, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that’s what we’re doing.
“I think I can do it, I can do it better than that. It was a great performance, but I think next time I’ll be more accurate. More sharp, everything.”
Usyk, 37, became the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion after his win over Tyson Fury, 36, in May.
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But he was forced to relinquish his IBF belt for a rematch on December 21st.
Dubois, 27, was promoted based on the interim title he won against 32-year-old Filip Hrgovic in June.
But any questions over his championship status were put to rest by the powerful right hand with which he knocked out the 34-year-old Joshua.
Hearn said there is a rematch clause that gives him the opportunity to face Dubois in a sequel.
But opposition leader Frank Warren argued his team was under no obligation to contest again next time.
That leaves Dubois with a bright future ahead, and plenty of options available – while Joshua said his only option is to rebuild.
“We are behind. But we have to focus on all the positives,” he told his nearly 20 million social media followers.
‘Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fight
Daniel Dubois has shattered Anthony Joshua’s dreams of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.
Joshua was stunned Four Dubois retained his IBF belt by scoring a stunning fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers.
Tyson Fury announces new business venture to advertise condoms as crucial fight with Oleksandr Usyk approachesAJ, 34, never recovered after falling in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain after a huge right hand from Dubois struck him on the chin.
Here is what he said after the fight:
Daniel DuBois
“Are you not entertained? I am a gladiator, a warrior who fights to the end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this sport.
“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and it’s my time. I’m not stopping until I reach my full potential.”
Anthony Joshua
“No matter how angry I get, it is the way it is.
“I had a fast and quick opponent and I made a lot of mistakes. Credit goes to my opponent and his team.
“We rolled the dice and lost. You know I’m angry, but I’ll stay calm and respect my opponent.”
Frank Warren (DuBois’ promoter)
“It was a phenomenal fight, like Hagler vs. Hearns.
“It was a fantastic fight and everyone saw the performance of a champion tonight.
“Daniel has shown his courage, his skill.
“AJ caught him with a shot at the end and I was worried, but it was a great, amazing fight.”
Eddie Hearn (AJ’s promoter)
“AJ landed a big right hand in the first round and was fighting from the heart.
“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth but got greedy and went for the right hand and that was all he wrote.
“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.”
“That’s the mindset and approach we need to adopt. Look at what we’ve achieved in 11 years, it’s phenomenal.”
“I want to thank each and every one of you who were traveling with me.
“It’s been such a roller coaster ride — and you know what the problem is? It’s not over yet.”
“We’ve done it once, we’ve done it twice, it wasn’t easy the third time but I believe it’s something I can achieve.
“It’s about taking the right step forward and working hard.
Read more at The Scottish Sun
“Fasten your seatbelts, because deep down, in my heart, I know we still have a lot of work to do.
“British boxing I applaud you and let’s all move forward together.”
