Frank Warren won’t stand in the way of a Daniel Dubois against Tyson Fury all-British superfight – even if it will be ‘awkward’ to see his two top heavyweights face off.
Dubois, 27, retained the IBF heavyweight title in stunning fashion as he flattened Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their Wembley Stadium clash. ‘Dynamite’ upset the odds and put plans for a Joshua against Fury bout on the rocks with the right-hand that knocked out ‘AJ’. Fury faces king of the division Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch on December 21 and Dubois wants the winner. Warren, who promotes Dubois and Fury, said: “I am going to tell you straight, I would be in a very, very awkward situation to do that fight.
“I would struggle with that. If they wanted it and the business called for it then that’s up to them. It’s not something I would push for. If there is an offer made that makes a lot of sense and they want to do it then that is up to them.”
Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh had big plans for Joshua to face Fury next year, whether the Gypsy King beats Usyk or not. The ideal scenario for Alalshikh was that Fury would beat Usyk to get the WBA, WBC and WBO belts and Joshua would beat Dubois to claim the IBF title and it would all make for a British undisputed showdown.
But now Dubois has thrown a huge spanner in the works, even if Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn claims there’s still life in the Fury fight for his man. Hall-of-fame promoter Warren said: “They were all making plans for Tyson against AJ and I told them it wouldn’t happen. I told them straight. I’m not stupid. I’ve been doing this a long time.”
Warren did throw two-time champion Joshua, who turns 35 next month, a lifeline by saying they would consider a rematch with Dubois. He added: “ I think it is something to be considered. Anything is on the table.”
Joshua insists he is not retiring despite suffering a fourth career defeat after a destruction at the hands of Daniel Dubois. The British heavyweight lost in his bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion as he was knocked out by his compatriot in the fifth round.
Joshua has now lost four fights in his career but he insists this is not the end for him. The London 2012 Olympic gold medallist was advised not to do the post-fight media conference in the bowels of Wembley Stadium.
But he insisted on coming to speak, if only for a brief statement to to confirm that walking away from the sport is not on the cards. He said: “We rolled the dice for the third time.
“That’s 13 world title fights, not every one has been successful. But they have all been fun and entertaining.
“We are trying to create history for British boxing and I think we are doing that. People will ask if I still want to continue fighting. Of course I want to continue fighting.
“We took as shot at success and came up short – what does that mean now? That we will run away? Or are we going to live to fight another day? I am a warrior.”
Joshua has won world championship silver and Olympic gold as an amateur before winning three heavyweight titles twice as professional. He has broken attendance records for boxing at Wembley Stadium and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff while sold 60,000 tickets at Tottenham Hotspur, too.
Joshua should seriously consider walking away now after this brutal knockout defeat at the hands of a younger rival. And he should do with his head held very high for a career which has been a huge success in the ring, even if he never got the undisputed crown he craved.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “2025 is going to be an interesting year for Anthony Joshua, one way or the other. But he will definitely be back. Whether it’s against Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury or whoever, you are going to be entertained.”