Sports
Dubois Still in Line for Usyk Rematch – Warren Confirms
- Promoter Frank Warren insists Daniel Dubois remains in contention for a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk despite his recent withdrawal.
- The IBF heavyweight champion pulled out of his title defence against Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia due to illness.
- Despite the setback, Warren maintains that a title unification bout between Dubois and Usyk is still a strong possibility.
IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is still in contention for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, despite his recent withdrawal from a title defence, says promoter Frank Warren.
The 27-year-old British fighter was set to face New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on Saturday but pulled out due to illness. However, Warren insists a unification bout against Usyk—holder of the WBO, WBA (Super), and IBF titles—remains a strong possibility.
“You have to look at the next move and I think that will be either Usyk in an all-belt affair for the four belts or maybe AJ [Anthony Joshua]. We will have to work that out in the next week or so,” Warren told BBC 5 Live.
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“We will talk through the options as a team and make a decision. Everyone’s view is important but the most important view is Daniel’s because he is the one getting into the ring and he makes the ultimate decision.”
Dubois and Usyk, 38, previously faced off in August 2023, with the Ukrainian securing victory via a ninth-round stoppage.
Dubois was later elevated to IBF champion after Usyk vacated the belt in June, following his historic win over Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years.
The Briton aimed to build on his 22 professional wins with a showdown against Parker, having successfully defended his title by stopping Joshua in five rounds at Wembley Stadium last September.
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However, after a medical evaluation on Thursday, Dubois was withdrawn from the fight, with Martin Bakole stepping in as his replacement. Parker made quick work of Bakole, stopping him within two rounds.
“Daniel thought he would probably have done the same thing to Parker,” said Warren, 72.
“He’s very down and disappointed and he feels his moment was robbed. It happened at the wrong moment for him and cost him a lot of money and cost the fans a really good fight.”
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