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Anthony Joshua in huge boost to fight for world title he has NEVER won… but why it all depends

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Anthony Joshua in huge boost to fight for world title he has NEVER won… but why it all depends on Daniel Dubois

ANTHONY JOSHUA could finally get the chance to fight for the WBC title – but it all depends on Daniel Dubois.

Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker face off at a press conference.
Daniel Dubois defends his IBF title against Joseph Parker

Joshua, 35, has twice held the unified WBA, IBF and WBO versions of the belts – but never the iconic green and gold WBC.

The strap is currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, 38, after he took it from Tyson Fury, 36, and then defended it in his pair of points wins last year.

But he had to vacate the IBF title to proceed with his December rematch with Fury – which he won via disputed decision.

Dubois, 27, was meanwhile elevated from interim champion to the full version – knocking out AJ in his first defense in September.

Oleksandr Usyk shaking hands with Daniel Dubois after a boxing match.
Oleksandr Usyk could fight the winner between Dubois vs Parker

He now puts it on the line against Joseph Parker, 33, on Saturday night in Riyadh – with Usyk in line to fight the winner.

That would make it for all four undisputed belts again – so Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang contest for the interim version on the undercard.

Winning that trinket title automatically puts the winner in line to challenge for the full version or be elevated in the event of the champ being stripped.

And WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman is open to Joshua fighting for the WBC interim belt this year against either Zhang, 41, or Kabayel, 32.

Sulaiman told SunSport: “Very possibly Anthony Joshua could fight the winner and then the winner would be the interim champion.

“What we’re trying to do is to give the fans the best fights possible.

“We are administering within our rules that give us plenty of room to be ordering or managing the divisions for the benefit of the industry

“So that is a very doable thing if Anthony Joshua is to fight the winner of Kabayel-Zhang – absolutely it would be an WBC interim title fight.”

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Joshua accused of avoiding Chinese boxer..Read More

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Anthony Joshua

Joshua accused of avoiding Chinese boxer Zhang

Anthony Joshua has been accused of avoiding a professional rematch with Chinese boxer Zhilei Zhang after the British-Nigerian beat him at the London 2012 Olympics.

One man who has long chased him is Zhang whom he beat in the Olympics back in 2012. Zhang’s manager Terry Lane told Sky Sports that Joshua has long been running from a pro rematch.

“I think it’s the worst kept secret in boxing that AJ wants no part of Zhilei. There’s been opportunities for them to fight. It’s just very clear that there’s no interest on AJ’s end, he just wants to avoid the fight, which is unfortunate.”

Joshua could well be waiting for a legacy-defining fight with Tyson Fury, despite his fellow Brit having retired in early January. Zhang meanwhile fights Agit Kabayel on February 22 for an interim WBC world title.Anthony Joshua has been accused of avoiding a professional rematch with Chinese boxer Zhilei Zhang after the British-Nigerian beat him at the London 2012 Olympics.

READ MORE:Anthony Joshua accused of making ‘big mistake’ after Daniel Dubois defeat by..

One man who has long chased him is Zhang whom he beat in the Olympics back in 2012. Zhang’s manager Terry Lane told Sky Sports that Joshua has long been running from a pro rematch.

“I think it’s the worst kept secret in boxing that AJ wants no part of Zhilei. There’s been opportunities for them to fight. It’s just very clear that there’s no interest on AJ’s end, he just wants to avoid the fight, which is unfortunate.”

Anthony Joshua

Joshua could well be waiting for a legacy-defining fight with Tyson Fury, despite his fellow Brit having retired in early January. Zhang meanwhile fights Agit Kabayel on February 22 for an interim WBC world title

For many years, Joshua’s CV was held up as one of the best in the heavyweight boxing business but now he has been accused of ducking a fellow heavyweight.

Joshua very quickly rose up the ranks after turning professional following his gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

In December 2015 came his first big test against Dillian Whyte, and after coming through that with a knockout win, he went into his first world title fight against Charles Martin the following year. He picked up the IBF belt and defended it against Eric Molina and Dominic Breazeale, then unified against Wladimir Klitschko. Three more defences followed against Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker in another unification fight and Alexander Povetkin

His first loss came in 2019 to Andy Ruiz but he avenged it later the same year, then beat Kubrat Pulev before twice losing in back-to-back fights with Oleksandr Usyk. Since then he has clocked up three more wins before a shocking knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September left him without a belt and diminishing options

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Tony Bellew Has No Doubt Who He Now Rates Higher Between Fury And..Read More

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Tyson Fury vs Daniel Dubois

Tony Bellew Has No Doubt Who He Now Rates Higher Between Fury And Dubois: “He’s The Best After Usyk”

Daniel Dubois recently joined Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury at the top table of British, and indeed world, heavyweights.

The 27-year-old bounced back from a loss to Oleksandr Usyk, his first world title tilt, with three statement stoppages wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua.

Having been elevated to IBF World Champion when Usyk vacated the belt, on paper it would seem that Dubois is now the second best in the world after the Ukrainian has absolutely secured the top spot with wins over all three Brits mentioned – twice against both Fury and ‘AJ.’

READ MORE:Evander Holyfield Didn’t Hesitate To Name Who Would Have Won Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua..

However, speaking to Fightlens, former cruiserweight world champion turned pundit Tony Bellew believes Fury’s performances in his fights against Usyk still make him number two.

“I think both are amazing fighters. Tyson Fury will be back 100%, if he wants to, that is. And I think he’s the second-best heavyweight in the world.

Tyson Fury

Fury lost via split decision in the first bout with Usyk and unanimously in the rematch, however believes he did enough to win both contests. With that sour taste, he recently announced his retirement from the sport of boxing at the age of 36.

It leaves a lucrative and long-awaited bout with Joshua on the table – many feel the announcement that he will hang up the gloves is a bargaining chip on Fury’s part and that the fight will still be made at one point this year.

Though Dubois has a tough test in Joseph Parker next month and then his sights firmly set on a rematch with Usyk for the chance to become undisputed champion, he has also expressed an interest in facing the winner of Fury vs Joshua should it happen.

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Daniel Dubois Rules Out Anthony Joshua Rematch As He Names His Next..Read more

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Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

Daniel Dubois Rules Out Anthony Joshua Rematch As He Names His Next 2 Opponents After Parker

It seems as though Daniel Dubois has moved from the idea of giving Anthony Joshua a rematch.

The 27-year-old is the current IBF world heavyweight champion and he defended that status in emphatic fashion back in September in front of a record-breaking crowd at Wembley Stadium.

In the opposite corner was ‘AJ’, the former two-time world champion who was knocked down at the end of the first round and never really recovered. In the fifth, Joshua threatened to get a foothold in the contest only to be caught on his way in by a short, sharp right hand from Dubois that sent him to the canvas, at which point the referee counted him out.

There was talk of an immediate rematch in the aftermath, though Joshua then decided to bide his time and recover from a few small injuries. For now, Dubois has moved on to a second defence versus Joseph Parker on February 22.

READ MORE:Oleksandr Usyk Names The ‘Dangerous’ Fighter Who Hit Him Harder Than Joshua..

Now, DAZN’s Ade Oladipo has revealed that ‘DDD’ has named his three-man hit-list in a recent interview

Should Dubois beat Parker, he may well lure current three-belt champion Oleksandr Usyk into an undisputed fight some time later in the year. Meanwhile, Martin Bakole is set to face Efe Ajagba in an IBF final eliminator this May, with the winner becoming Dubois’ mandatory challenger. Fans will welcome Dubois taking both fights and continuing to test himself against the very best as a champion should.

Anthony Joshua / Daniel Dubois

As for Joshua, he had hoped to get a legacy-defining fight with long-time British rival Tyson Fury, but Fury announced his retirement at the start of January, so for now, that one is also up in the air.

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Martin Bakole ahead of Anthony Joshua in race for Daniel Dubois’..

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Anthony Joshua & Daniel Dubois

Martin Bakole ahead of Anthony Joshua in race for Daniel Dubois’ world title fight, says promoter Ben Shalom

Daniel Dubois defends the IBF world title against Joseph Parker on February 22 on Sky Sports Box Office; Martin Bakole is due to box Efe Ajagba in a final eliminator for that belt in May; Winning would put him “front of the queue” ahead of Anthony Joshua says promoter Ben Shalom

Dubois scored a stunning victory when he knocked out Joshua, a former unified titlist, at Wembley Stadium last year.

Next Dubois will be making a voluntary defence of the IBF belt against New Zealand’s in-form Joseph Parker on Saturday February 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

After that Dubois will have to either contest a world championship unification or make a mandatory defence of the belt.

Bakole will box Efe Ajagba in May in order to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

READ MORE:Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba eliminator for Daniel Dubois’ IBF heavyweight..

Ben Shalom, Bakole’s promoter, told Sky Sports: “Martin can’t be avoided any longer. If he beats Efe Ajaba in May, he will be mandatory challenger to fight for the IBF world title, and we will be looking to enforce that mandatory immediately. He will be front of the queue and that fight will have to happen.”

He added: “Martin is the most feared man in the heavyweight division and with good reason. He will be keeping a close eye on the Dubois-Parker fight, and whatever the outcome, I know Martin will be confident of taking the title when his time comes.”

“If it’s not Fury, it’s just the world heavyweight championship. It’s Daniel Dubois against Joseph Parker,” Hearn previously told Sky Sports.

“AJ’s going to fight again regardless of who he fights. I think he didn’t take the defeat well, which is good. You should never take defeat well. But particularly over the last couple of weeks, he’s got his mojo back. He’s ready to start training camp.”

Anthony Joshua / Daniel Dubois

Hearn continued: “But the focus was always Tyson Fury and the Daniel Dubois rematch. I’m not so sure Daniel Dubois beats Joseph Parker. You’ve got the winner of that fight or somebody else.

“Really at this stage of your career you want the biggest fights and you want to try and become three-time world heavyweight champion.”

Warren: Joshua must win a fight

Though Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren points out that if Joshua wants to put himself in a position to challenge the February 22 winner he needs to make himself eligible. First AJ has “got to go and win a fight,” Warren told Sky Sports

 

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Heavyweight Vows To Retire Anthony Joshua In Trilogy Fight..

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Anthony Joshua

Heavyweight Vows To Retire Anthony Joshua In Trilogy Fight: “I Want To Knock Him Out”

British heavyweight Dillian Whyte is targeting a ‘trilogy’ fight with Anthony Joshua as he vows to retire his bitter rival.

The heavyweight duo first clashed on the amateur circuit 16-years ago, as ‘The Bodysnatcher’ claimed a points victory over a novice Joshua who hadn’t long had his first contest when the pair met

Their bitter feud was reignited in December 2015 when ‘AJ’ captured the vacant British heavyweight title with an explosive 7th-round knockout victory over Whyte, who had rocked Joshua in the second round before eventually suffering the first defeat of his professional career.

READ MORE:Dillian Whyte Delivers Harsh Verdict On Fury-Usyk Rematch: “It’ll Be Much Harder This Time”…

Their highly anticipated rematch was due to happen in August 2023, but was cancelled after Whyte returned an adverse finding in a doping test. Finnish heavyweight Robert Helenius stepped in and was knocked out in seven rounds. Whyte was later cleared to box after an investigation found it was a contaminated supplement that caused the findings.

Joshua is expected to return to the ring for the first time since suffering a shock knockout defeat to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois last September, with Whyte putting himself forward to face his rival as he vows to finally send him into retirement.

Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, ‘The Bodysnatcher’ welcomed the idea of facing the 35-year-old for the third time, but claimed he is ‘finished’ after that defeat to Dubois.

Anthony Joshua

“If he wants to fight, then all they’ve got to do is call me. I’m always up for fighting AJ. No problem for me. However, personally, I think he’s finished. I think he made a huge mistake not taking the immediate rematch with Dubois. It was a world title fight, a great payday and the perfect opportunity to avenge his knockout loss.”

“Me and him will always be a good fight. We just have that chemistry. I don’t want to lose to him, he doesn’t want to lose to me, and we want to prove each other wrong. We want to knock each other out so it will always be a good fight.

“Eddie [Hearn] has publicly stated Joshua could fight me next, but whether he will or not I don’t know whether he or his people want it, then we wait to see. I would love to retire him.”

Whyte returned to the ring in December when he knocked out Ebenezer Tetteh in Gibraltar. The 36-year-old is keen on returning to the ring as soon as possible, with a fight date and opponent expected to be announced in due course.

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Oleksandr Usyk Names The ‘Dangerous’ Fighter Who Hit Him Harder Than Joshua..

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Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury & V Oleksandr Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk Names The ‘Dangerous’ Fighter Who Hit Him Harder Than Joshua, Fury And Dubois

Oleksandr Usyk has beaten five Brits in the last seven years, four in the heavyweight ranks including the nation’s best in Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois.

Usyk first visited these shores to defend his undisputed cruiserweight belts against Tony Bellew, stopping the challenger inside eight rounds before deciding up was time to move up to the heavyweight ranks.

After a warm-up against Chazz Witherspoon, Usyk was tested by Derek Chisora, weathering an early storm to win a unanimous decision and set up a shot at Anthony Joshua’s unified titles. The Ukrainian beat ‘AJ’ twice in a row, winning then retaining the belts.

He then made a defence against Daniel Dubois, which included a controversial low blow that saw the champion down and recovering for minutes before rising to stop the 27-year-old Brit in the ninth.

READ MORE:Anthony Joshua accused of making ‘big mistake’ after Daniel Dubois defeat by..

Most recently, Usyk did the double over Tyson Fury, taking everything ‘The Gypsy King’ could throw to win by split decision and become undisputed. He would win unanimously in their rematch.

In an interview with the 3 Knockdown Rule, he called the Morecambe man his hardest fight, but was clear that Chisora hit him harder than all others.

“Listen, I have respect for Tyson Fury. A fighter, a great man, but my opponent. Very hard man. Very smart … [Hardest fight] I think yes. Punch? I think no. Derek Chisora. Very tough guy. Derek – right hand, left hand, I’d like block… ‘Oh my God! Oh move Alex, this is dangerous.’”

Anthony Joshua / Daniel Dubois

Usyk has described the punch of the heavyweight veteran as ‘a baseball bat.’ Chisora has been competing professionally since 2007 but is currently enjoying somewhat of an Indian Summer as he makes his way towards 50 fights before finally hanging up the gloves

He lost twice to Joseph Parker after the Usyk defeat before beating Kubrat Pulev and challenging for Fury’s then WBC belt in a trilogy that he lost to make it 3-0 to ‘The Gypsy King.’

His most recent wins over Gerald Washington and particularly Joe Joyce, however, have seen fans enjoying this farewell tour slightly more. Next up is Otto Wallin on February 8 in Manchester – number 49.

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Anthony Joshua accused of making ‘big mistake’ after Daniel Dubois defeat by..

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Anthony Joshua & Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua accused of making ‘big mistake’ after Daniel Dubois defeat by ex-rival Dillian Whyte

Dillian Whyte believes Anthony Joshua needed to pursue an immediate rematch with Daniel Dubois after his brutal defeat.

Joshua was dropped three times in the shock defeat to British rival Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September, in a damaging blow to his hopes of being in the world title mix.

AJ is coming to the back end of his career and was expected to face Dubois in an immediate sequel this year, spurred on by the opportunity of revenge.

But the fight collapsed and now the former two-time champion is waiting to see what the year brings in terms of a potential opponent.

It appeared the British heavyweight was waiting to see if he can lure Tyson Fury into a blockbuster, but the ‘Gypsy King’ recently announced his retirement.

And Whyte, who was beaten by Joshua in 2015, believes the rematch was necessary to write his wrongs before being able to move on.

READ MORE:Eddie Hearn Makes Emphatic Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker Prediction..

Whyte told Sky Sports: “He made a huge mistake not taking the immediate rematch with Dubois.

“It was a world title fight, a great payday and the perfect opportunity. He will forever have to suffer the memes of being face-planted at Wembley by Dubois.

“When I lost to [Alexander] Povetkin, I crashed Eddie Hearn’s live interview and demanded the rematch.

“Nothing else mattered until I beat him in the rematch. It’s a mindset thing. I want to fight AJ and Tyson again because they both beat me.”

Whyte himself looked set to rematch Joshua last August but the fight was cancelled after one of his drug tests returned an adverse finding.

Anthony Joshua & Daniel Dubois

But now the ‘Body Snatcher’ wants the rematch again, which could be an alternative option for Joshua in 2025.

He added: “[Joshua] Sounds perfect for me. They don’t need to ask me twice.

“They talk about me as an option, but they haven’t said anything to me, so it’s just negotiation tactics from them.

“But I’m up for the fight and I’m ready to fight again. If he wants to fight, then all they’ve got to do is call me.

“I’m always up for fighting AJ. No problem for me. However, personally, I think he’s finished.”

Joshua could feasibly agree to face Whyte, with a showdown against Fury now seemingly off the table.

But he still possesses an interest in rematching Dubois, despite ‘Dynamite’ making his next IBF title defence against Joseph Parker on February 22.

Dubois is also determined to now move forward and suggested he would look to pursue a sequel with Oleksandr Usyk, which could be for the undisputed titles.

Joshua could also have numerous other options on the table, with promoter Eddie Hearn suggesting he could face Martin Bakole or Deontay Wilder.

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Old rival Dillian Whyte volunteers services for Joshua’s..

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Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte

Old rival Dillian Whyte volunteers services for Joshua’s return

. Dillian Whyte is still holding out hope for a rematch with fellow Londoner Anthony Joshua.

Whyte and Joshua met as amateurs and again as pros in 2015, when Joshua stopped Whyte at the O2 Arena in seven rounds.

They were also due to meet in 2023, but Whyte posted an adverse finding ahead of the contest and Robert Helenius was then dispatched by Joshua.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Whyte said he hopes to rekindle the rivalry in 2025 and the outspoken Whyte also believes that after Joshua was hammered into defeat by Daniel Dubois last September, Joshua’s time at
“Sounds perfect for me,” Whyte told Sky of running it back with Joshua. “They don’t need to ask me twice. They talk about me as an option, but they haven’t said anything to me, so it’s just negotiation tactics from them. But I’m up for the fight and I’m ready to fight again.

READ MORE:Dillian Whyte Delivers Harsh Verdict On Fury-Usyk Rematch: “It’ll Be Much Harder This Time”…

“If he wants to fight, then all they’ve got to do is call me. I’m always up for fighting AJ. No problem for me. However, personally, I think he’s finished.”

Joshua, 28-4 (25 KOs), turned 35 in October.

Whyte’s last fights have been in Malta and Ireland respectively. He is 31-3 (21 KOs) and the 36-year-old has defeated Jermaine Franklin, Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh since a heavy knockout loss to Tyson Fury at Wembley Stadium.

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I’ve trained Anthony Joshua and Jesse Rodriguez – but the most talented..

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Anthony Joshua

I’ve trained Anthony Joshua and Jesse Rodriguez – but the most talented fighter I’ve worked with is ‘The Filipino Flash’

The former IBF super featherweight king has moulded 16 world champions during his illustrious career on the other side of the ropes and has trained some of the sport’s biggest names.

Anthony Joshua, Marcos Maidana, Antonio Margarito and his brother Mikey Garcia have all worked under ‘Grandpa’s’ watchful eye, while his current crop of fighters is topped by WBC and lineal super flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.

READ MORE:Dangerous Heavyweight Being Considered For Anthony Joshua’s Next Fight Vows..

Picking your most talented fighter is no easy feat for a trainer, especially when you have helped guide the careers of as many outstanding pugilists as Garcia has.

But when pressed by talkSPORT.com, Garcia cast his verdict.

“If we are talking about talent, discipline and heart then Bam Rodriguez, Vergil Ortiz and Nonito Donaire are up there,” he told talkSPORT.com during an exclusive interview.

 

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