As Anthony Joshua watched from ringside at the Queensberry v Matchroom 5 v 5 event, his next opponent may have been announced. Daniel Dubois defeated Filip Hrgovic convincingly, causing the bout to be called off in the eighth round. ‘Dynamite’ has now pledged to “demolish” Joshua at Wembley later this year in what is expected to be an IBF title fight.
Daniel Dubois is eyeing a September fight with Anthony Joshua, while Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn have also talked up the possibility of a British blockbuster.
The top promoters in the UK have chosen rosters to face off on Saturday evening in a one-of-a-kind 5 versus. 5 event shown live on TNT Sports Box Office. Warren’s Queensberry emerged as the clear winners, with all five of his men defeating their Matchroom counterparts.
Dubois was one of them, defeating Filip Hrgovic to become interim IBF world champion, putting him the top contender for Oleksandr Usyk’s title.
However, the waters are muddled by undisputed champ Usyk’s upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury. Given that the IBF mandate is long delayed, the governing body is likely to order the Ukrainian to relinquish his title.
It means that a battle between the top two challengers – the interim titleholder and Joshua, who has frequently expressed his goal to become a three-time world champion – is on the agenda for this year.
Hrgovic had patiently waited for that shot after going 17 victories without losing and ascending the rankings, though his finest win, against Zhilei Zhang, was a questionable one on the scoreboard.
The Croatian’s strategy, however, has been shattered after he was defeated for the first time in his professional career by Dubois, a fighter with whom he previously sparred.’Dynamite’ has continued his spectacular comeback from last year’s loss to Usyk, appearing like a fighter reborn after TKO victories over Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller and now Hrgovic.
In an all-out fight, the 26-year-old inflicted so much damage on Hrgovic with his left-handed bombs in the seventh round that the referee halted play to analyze the situation.
The barrage continued, and in the seventh session, a doctor was sent to decide whether Hrgovic could go safely. It was waved off, blood trickling down his cheeks.
Dubois immediately turned his attention to superstar ‘AJ’ in the aftermath, saying in the ring: “Bring it on.”
The Greenwich native then told Boxing King Media: “It’s the dream, getting the chance to win the world title. I would demolish [AJ]. I get even better from here.”
Promoter Warren added to Seconds Out: “If that fight comes off, and I hope it does, two big British punchers… that would be something extra special. Underdog? It doesn’t bother me and doesn’t bother him.”
Hearn, who oversees Joshua, told IFL TV: “It’s a big possibility. We’re going to head to [Saudi General Entertainment Authority chief Turki Alalshikh’s house] now and start planning that Wembley card.
"To come through that was a learning experience for me.. I'm just so proud of myself." – @DynamiteDubois 🧨
Buy 5 vs 5: Queensberry vs Matchroom LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office https://t.co/FXWiFF98Ej pic.twitter.com/gHWThNuFc0
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) June 1, 2024
“The September card at Wembley will be headlined by Joshua. [Alalshikh] wanted to see the [Deontay] Wilder fight, which is now out of the question, but the Dubois bout may still happen. An all-British fight for the heavyweight title is of interest to us.
The game at Wembley Stadium, the second of the ‘Riyadh Season’ to take place outside of Saudi Arabia, is set for September 21.
Joshua, like Dubois, has recovered well under new trainers following his losses to Usyk in 2021 and 2022. Derrick James coached the 34-year-old to victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, before Ben Davison assisted him in producing outstanding performances against Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.
