Daniel Dubois is now a wanted man. That’s how far his stock has risen.
There’s been a queue of heavyweights lining up looking for a shot at the IBF heavyweight champion since it emerged Anthony Joshua is not taking the rematch. Everybody wants the big chance to become champion and the pay day that comes with it.
What a rise from Dubois who had critics telling him he was finished when he lost to Joe Joyce back in 2020. We are finalising the opponent for February 22 with everyone knowing who the runners and riders are and expect news in the coming days.
It will be the next step towards dominating the division for Daniel and another seriously good card in Riyadh early next year. What does Joshua do now? I’ve no idea. Whether it is injury or whatever, he won’t be ready for February but Daniel cannot hang around.
He’s eager to capitalise on the momentum of the stunning Wembley win in September. When Joshua is ready to return to the ring then what about a fight with Fabio Wardley? We’d be up for that.
(Image: Getty Images)
Before that, all eyes are on December 21 when Tyson Fury will return to the throne as the king of the division by beating Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch. He’s out in Malta preparing for the fight and will be ready to put on a show in December.
This weekend there’s a big event on out in Saudi and Chris Billam-Smith is headlining in a unification clash with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez on ‘Latino Night’ in Riyadh. It’s a tough fight for Bournemouth’s WBO cruiserweight champion against the WBA title holder.
I’ve never worked with Billam-Smith but I hear very good things about him. He’s a boxer who has put it all into the sport and rinsed everything out of his ability.
It’s always good to see a British fighter get the big rewards and I hope he can become the first unified cruiserweight champion from these shores since David Haye. No doubt it will be another entertaining Riyadh Season card over in Saudi.