Hall-of-fame promoter, Frank Warren, has named Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois as two possible opponents for Anthony Joshua’s next fight.
2012 Olympic gold medalist Joshua is looking to fight again in early 2023 and start to reinstate his claim for heavyweight glory after losing back-to-back fights to Oleksandr Usyk, both via decision. It looked as if he would be Tyson Fury’s date for 3rd December, but talks for the all-British heavyweight title showdown collapsed for the second time last month.
Rumours for AJ’s next opponents have been circulating recently, with Mexican-American Chris Arreola and Swedish southpaw Otto Wallin believed to be in the mix. Speaking to Sky Sports, Warren had his own matchups that he’d like to see.
“Now I’m going to be able to start throwing Daniel Dubois at him and Joe [Joyce]…”
“If he doesn’t fight one of them I think they’ll find it hard to sell anything and he can’t say, ‘Why should I do that?’. I’ll tell you why, he’ll become a mandatory.”
“He’s liable to get knocked over by anybody. I’d put any of my guys in with him. Any of them. Joe Joyce would knock him out and Dubois would do the same.”
Joe Joyce is riding high in heavyweight division, after becoming the first man to stop Joseph Parker in Manchester in September. The 37 year old Olympic silver medalist boasts an undefeated record of 15-0 and is most known for his best asset, his chin. This has lead to cries for a fight between him and the divisions hardest puncher, Deontay Wilder, with the ‘Bronze Bomber’ returning to the ring a couple of weeks ago.
Daniel Dubois also carries great power, with 17 of his 18 wins as a pro coming by knockout. ‘Dynamite’ is a promising prospect at just 25 years of age, and now possesses three straight wins following the only loss of his career so far to Joyce in November 2020.
Fighting either man would be an exciting but difficult challenge for Joshua – and one British fight fans would undoubtedly show up for.