The highly anticipated rematch between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois is set to take place early next year, with February 22 penciled in for a fight card in Riyadh.
This comes after Dubois' stunning victory over Joshua on September 21, 2024, at Wembley Stadium, where he retained his IBF heavyweight title by knocking out Joshua in the fifth round. The bout saw Dubois dominate from the start, sending Joshua to the canvas multiple times before delivering the final blow.
Despite there being no official rematch clause, both fighters and their promoters have expressed interest in a second showdown. Frank Warren, Dubois' promoter, has confirmed that "they can have it if they want it anyway," indicating a willingness to arrange the rematch. Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, also mentioned that while there isn't a rematch clause, a contract is in place for one more fight, which could involve both fighters.
Dubois, who was an underdog in their first encounter, has shown eagerness to prove himself once again. In an interview with talkSPORT, he stated, "I want to do even better next time; I know what I need to improve on as a champion and as a fighter." He added, "I just want to prove people wrong all the time and that’s what we’ve been doing."
The rematch is expected to draw significant attention, especially given the dramatic nature of their first fight. With a sellout crowd of 96,000 at Wembley Stadium witnessing Dubois' triumph, the upcoming bout promises to be another major event in the boxing calendar.
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