Daniel Dubois has aimed a fresh dig at boxing rival Anthony Joshua while delivering his prediction for Tyson Fury’s huge rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
The 27-year-old inflicted a brutal knockout on Joshua at Wembley in September to claim the IBF world heavyweight title, which Usyk vacated in June after beating Fury on points to become the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
Quite where Joshua goes from here is unclear. A potential rematch with Dubois was mooted in the immediate wake of September’s defeat but Dubois is now scheduled to defend his title against Joseph Parker in February.
Calls to face Fury in what would surely be the biggest fight in British boxing history refuse to subside but much will depend on what happens between Usyk and the ‘Gypsy King’ when they meet on Saturday night.
Dubois in fact believes Joshua was “not ready” for their fight and suggested the former two-time champion was now out of the picture at elite level.
"Everyone is always talking about AJ but where is he?” he said.
"I can’t find him. Where is he? I think I put him in a retirement home.
“All this talk about AJ and people keeping him excuses for the loss.
"It’s time for people to celebrate the new king.
"I keep seeing people crying over AJ’s loss rather than celebrating the new king, come on people.”
The IBF champion added he would happily face Fury should he overcome Usyk despite both British heavyweights being part of Frank Warren’s Queensbury stable.
He did, however, back Usyk to emerge victorious again and targeted a rematch with the Ukrainian, having been knocked out by Usyk in controversial fashion in Poland back in August 2023.
“Something in my heart tells me Usyk will pull it off again,” he added.
“As a fellow Brit I want Tyson to win, because of everything he has done in the game.
“You have to respect that. But something is telling me that Usyk is going to do it again. Usyk just has luck on his side and he has skills. He has the backing of his people and is fighting for his country.”
