Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois rematch could be | Boxing News

Anthony Joshua could see his rematch with Daniel Dubois scrapped if he doesn’t comply with the struggle by Wednesday night. AJ was dispatched by his rival in entrance of 96,000 followers at Wembley Stadium of their first struggle in September.

Joshua was put on the canvas 4 instances during that showdown, together with his staff ultimately falling by the wayside within the fifth spherical.

His promoter Eddie Hearn then conceded the Watford-born star might not be prepared to tackle Dubois for a second time earlier than subsequent May, with Dubois aiming for a February match-up.

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren was requested by iFLTV whether or not the rematch was “dead in the water” on Monday night. And the 72-year-old defined: “Unless [Joshua] gets back to us in the next 48 hours, yes.

“I’d like to make an announcement tomorrow, if possible. But I don’t think we’ll be doing anything for the next week.”

Dubois has 9 months to make a voluntary title defence after defending his IBF world title towards Joshua however will then should fulfil a obligatory title defence.

But this week’s deadline could hand Hearn an fast headache after he advised Sky Sports in October: “Our concern at the moment is just timing. You’ve got a few little niggles, you get them looked at and then you can’t punch again for four, five weeks. If we’re going to fight him in February, we need to start camp in about three weeks’ time. It’s quite a fast turnaround.

“Ideally we’d like to return around May time. It does feel as though it’s coming on quite quickly. From a body perspective we could probably do with a little bit more time ideally. Sometimes it’s not ideal and you just go for it. But we just need to decide are we going to be ready.

“[Joshua] has told me categorically, ‘I want the rematch’. But it’s just a case of whether he’s going to be ready for February, and that’s something they’re going to have to decide. It’s not ruled out. But we do appreciate it’s a fast turnaround.”

Meanwhile, Hearn’s father Barry has defined to The Mirror: “I think Dubois is dangerous and he’s going to be super confident after the last job. I still believe AJ would probably beat him in a rematch if he boxed differently, but that’s just my opinion.

“More likely, a sensible person doesn’t rush anything. You take your time. But he’s his own man and he’s gonna make his own call.

“And I guess my gut feeling is the warrior still burns within Anthony Joshua and he will want to try once more. My crystal ball starts to clear every now and again. A Daniel Dubois rematch would be a big fight.”