Daniel Dubois of Lonton (22-2, 21 KOs) is ready to make his second defense of the IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker of New Zealand (35-3, 23 KOs) on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The heavyweight championship bout is the co-main event in support of the rematch between undisputed light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
IBF Heavyweight Champion Has Next Target In Sight
The London-bred Dubois has made it clear who he wants to step into the ring with next. Following Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury last December, the IBF champion was ringside and told Usyk he “wants his revenge.”
“It’s all about making noise,” said Dubois, during a press conference in London. “This is show business, so that’s who I want next. First I gotta get through this guy (Parker). I’m gonna do a demolition job on him first, and then I want Usyk next. I’m ready for it, and I’m on a roll. So bring him on.”
“Dynamite” Dubois challenged Usyk for the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles in August 2023. In a controversial fifth round, the defending champion hit the canvas on his knees following a punch to the belt line. However referee Luis Pabon of Puerto Rico ruled the hit a low blow.
Usyk went on to knock down Dubois twice, and retained the belts with a knockout win in the ninth round.
The comments didn’t sit too well with Parker, who is coming off upset victories over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in his last two fights. The former WBO heavyweight champion assured Dubois that he isn’t one to be overlooked.
“You might be looking too far ahead,” replied Parker. “Planning big fights, other big fights. You’ve got a fight right in front of you, right now.”
Dubois captured the vacant IBF heavyweight title with a TKO win against Filip Hrgović in June 2024. In his first title defense last September, he scored four knockdowns against former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a fifth-round KO victory.
