Eddie Hearn has teased the prospect of a rematch between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
The 34-year-old Joshua was left unable to continue after Dubois delivered a knockout punch in the fifth round during their blistering encounter at Wembley, banishing his dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion.
In the aftermath of the fight, with the echoes of a 96,000 fan-packed Wembley still ringing, Hearn, main man at Matchroom Boxing, declared ringside: “I am sure he’ll exercise that rematch clause. I think that’s a given.”
READ MORE: Daniel Dubois knocks out Anthony Joshua in Wembley mega fight – ‘Tyson Fury is next’
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He added: “But he’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight. This guy [Dubois] is growing in confidence all the time but he’ll believe he can hurt Dubois. He’ll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit tonight, it was a great performance from Daniel.”
Meanwhile, on the flip side, Frank Warren, Dubois’ promotor, was keen to throw his fighter in the ring with Oleksandr Usyk, who’s aiming to deal Tyson Fury another blow in December after their initial bout.
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Warren said: “Oleksandr Usyk is considered to be at the moment the best heavyweight in the world and he gave him at that time his toughest fight, there’s no doubt about that,” reports the Mirror.
“He hurt him [during their first fight in 2023]. I’d like to see him fight him now – but obviously he’s got to fight Tyson [Fury] first and I think that Tyson will take his scalp.
“Everybody here seen a champion’s performance tonight. Two great fighters in the ring, and a champion’s performance. And I think he’s done everything that’s been asked of him.
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“He’s showed his courage, showed his skills, his resilience. Caught him with a shot over there and I was worried about that. But he caught him with a counter and that’s what it was. What a fabulous, fantastic fight by both the guys.”
The IBF champion Dubois weighed in on his future: “Maybe Usyk, a big shot at my redemption. Anyone… anyone can get it,” he declared. “I’ve just been on a rollercoaster ride. This is my time, this is my redemption story and I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.”