With Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn stating that it is a “fast turnaround” for a second bout, Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Daniel Dubois may be postponed past the anticipated February date; if the rematch does not happen, Dubois will still fight in February.

The anticipated February rematch between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois may not go as planned.

In September, IBF heavyweight champion Dubois defeated Joshua at Wembley Stadium. Although it was a devastating loss, AJ has been given the opportunity to rematch in February.

“I’d have that in a heartbeat,” Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, told. “He’s got it [if he wants it].”

Warren, though, doubts that Joshua’s team ultimately will take it, adding: “Who’d you advise him to fight?”

He is adamant that Dubois-AJ II can only take place early in 2025. “He is the champion and it’ll be done in his terms,” Warren said.

“Daniel will defend his title in February and if it’s not Joshua then it’ll be against somebody who is ranked in the top five.”

February is the window for that fight because later in the year Dubois could be looking at an undisputed world title shot of his own, especially if that came against previous conqueror Oleksandr Usyk.

“What a great rematch that would be,” Warren said.

“He wants that.”

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, revealed however that while AJ wants that rematch, he might not be ready for February.

“Our concern at the moment is just timing,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “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.”

Hearn continued: “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.”

Dubois vs Joshua rematch must happen by April?

The battle with Joshua was essentially a required title defense for Dubois, who had been promoted from Interim titlist to world champion before that bout. Dubois now has nine months to make a voluntary defense under IBF rules, which made a rematch with Joshua possible. Dubois will have to defend his title after nine months, most likely against Agit Kabayel, the victor of Martin Bakole’s IBF final eliminator.

On or around April 22, Dubois will receive notice of his June 21 requirement.

The rules of the IBF specify that the champion “shall be obligated to mandatorily defend his championship within intervals of no more than nine months against the leading available contender in the heavyweight division as designated by the championships chairman” .

However, the IBF has said that after this date, Dubois is free to pursue a unification fight. Dubois would only be able to compete for the undisputed heavyweight title if he defeated the victor of the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. The WBC, WBO, and WBA titles are up for grabs when Usyk and Fury square off in Saudi Arabia on December 21.