Daniel Dubois refuses to guarantee Anthony Joshua rematch as he names second opponent and will face ‘whoever pays most’
DANIEL DUBOIS’ next fight will be determined by whoever has the deepest pockets – casting doubt over a rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Dubois sensationally knocked out AJ in round five of their world title fight in what was a British-record crowd of 98,000.
Joshua – who was down four times in total – has refused to retire while his promoter Eddie Hearn says a rematch is on the cards.
Part of the historic set of fans was Oleksandr Usyk, who beat Dubois in nine rounds last year.
And Dubois fancies a crack at revenge but admitted his immediate future will come down to whoever fronts the most cash.
He told talkSPORT: “I would love a rematch [with Usyk] but either one really, whoever pays me more money.
“Also if that [a rematch with Joshua] happens next then yeah. I want to go for it. I want to do even better next time.
“I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that’s what we have been doing.
“I think I would, I can do a lot better than that. It was a great showing but next time I believe I’ll be more clinical. More sharp, everything.”
Usyk, 37, became the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion after victory over Tyson Fury, 36, in May.
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But to proceed with their December 21 rematch, he was forced to vacate the IBF belt.
Dubois, 27, was elevated from the interim title he won against Filip Hrgovic, 32, in June.
But any questions over his championship status were silenced with the crushing right hand he KO’d Joshua, 34, with.
Hearn said there is a rematch clause giving them the opportunity at a sequel with Dubois.
But opposite number Frank Warren argued there is no obligation their side to take the rerun next.
It leaves Dubois’ future looking bright several options – while Joshua’s said his only option to rebuild again.
He told his near 20m social media followers: “We came up short. But we have to look at all the positives.
'Are you not entertained? I'm a gladiator' - What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fight
DANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.
Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.
AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.
Here’s what they said after the fight:
DANIEL DUBOIS
“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.
“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”
ANTHONY JOSHUA
“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.
“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.
“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”
FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)
“It was a phenomenal fight, like Hagler v Hearns.
“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.
“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.
“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”
EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)
“AJ shipped a huge right hand in the first round and was fighting on heart.
“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.
“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.”
“That’s the mindset and the perspective we have to have. Look what we have achieved in 11 years, it’s phenomenal.
“I want to thank every single one of you who has been riding with me.
“What a rollercoaster journey – and you know what the problem is? It’s far from over yet.”
“We’ve done it once, we’ve done it twice, doing it a third time hasn’t been easy but I believe it is something I can achieve.
“It’s about making the right steps forward and working hard.
“Keep your seatbelts on because deep, deep, down in [my heart], I know we’ve got a lot more to bring.
“British Boxing I appreciate you and let’s rise up together.”