ANTHONY JOSHUA needed nothing greater than to face Daniel Dubois on February 22.
The 2-time heavyweight champion was closely crushed by Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September and known as for a rematch. Joshua was favoured to beat the 27-year-old and win the IBF title however discovered himself outgunned and knocked out within the fifth spherical.
Discussions with Joshua, his medical group, promoter Eddie Hearn, his administration group and coach Ben Davison reached a conclusion that ‘AJ’ didn’t need to hear.
“We had a really awkward name,” Hearn informed Boxing Information.
“He needed to struggle on February 22 and mainly was informed that there isn’t a manner you can begin camp and be 100% for February 22, bodily.”
“There’s nothing main,” he added. “There’s two or three points that he had a bit bit in camp but additionally after the struggle as effectively. And so they stated it is advisable to come again in Could-June and he didn’t need to do it. He needed to struggle on February 22 however sadly we type of needed to overrule him on this and say no as a result of we are able to’t afford to not get this proper.
“In the event you get crushed once more by Daniel Dubois you must significantly take into account your future. We obtained one final chapter on this profession that we’d like to verify we get 100% spot on. So when he comes again in Could or June or at any time when that’s gonna be you bought to be bodily mentally 100% prepared. He needs to rematch Daniel so dangerous.”
Joshua and his group will now watch the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch on December 21 and whoever Dubois faces in Riyadh in February. The outcomes will play a serious half in what Joshua does subsequent.
“As a lot because it burns folks AJ’s a fairly large identify,” Hearn stated. “He can stroll into any struggle he needs however we obtained to get it proper. We are able to’t afford to lose once more.
“I believe each fighter would need to avenge the defeat. On the similar time the Fury struggle is the most important struggle within the sport however let’s see the way it goes December 21.”
