Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois rematch in doubt as two possible alternatives emerge

Anthony Joshua’s proposed rematch against Daniel Dubois is now unlikely to take place in February with alternative options being considered for the reigning IBF world champion.

Dubois produced a stunning performance at Wembley Stadium in September, knocking out Joshua in the fifth round to successfully defend his title.

A rematch has been discussed for February but with the clock ticking, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested the two-time heavyweight champion is unlikely to be ready in time for that date.

‘Our concern at the moment is just timing,’  Hearn told Sky Sports. ‘You’ve got a few little niggles, you get them looked at and then you can’t punch again for four, five weeks. If we’re going to fight him in February, we need to start camp in about three weeks’ time. It’s quite a fast turnaround.’

Hearn has also suggested Joshua may prefer to wait to see the outcome of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch, scheduled for 21 December, before plotting his next move.

But Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, still plans to have his champion out again in February whether it is against Joshua or not.

The IBF confirmed this week Dubois is free to make an optional defence of his belt before 22 April next year against any of their ranked opponents.

Beyond that point, Dubois will be ordered to fulfil a mandatory title defence, likely to be against the winner of the IBF final eliminator between Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel.

Among those fighters is British and Commonwealth champion Fabio Wardley, who produced a devastating knockout victory over Frazer Clarke in Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

The 29-year-old is also promoted by Warren, making the task of setting up an in-house world title fight for Queensberry Promotions perhaps a more straight-forward task.

Joseph Parker could be another name in the frame. The former WBO champion propelled himself back into the world title conversation with superb victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang with his trainer Andy Lee insisting this week ‘Parker is ready’ for the Dubois fight. The New Zealander has not fought since that win over Zhang in March.

Zhang himself could also be an option. Despite that defeat to Parker, the Chinese heavyweight bounced back with a thrilling knockout win over Wilder in June to get back to winning ways and breathe life into his own world title prospects.