Whether he agrees on a rematch or decides to pursue a different path, Daniel Dubois’ explosive fifth-round KO of Anthony Joshua has undoubtedly elevated the 27-year-old to a much stronger position.
Following his victory, Dubois has jumped from sixth place to third in the Boxing News rankings worldwide. Only two fighters remain ahead of him: Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, who are set to have a rematch on December 21. Usyk previously defeated Dubois by a ninth-round stoppage in a 2023 match in Poland.
Considering Dubois’ recent success, coupled with the ongoing controversy surrounding low blows and victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and now Joshua, he would certainly feel confident in a potential rematch. This, of course, depends on the outcome of the Usyk vs. Fury fight. If Fury emerges victorious, a third fight could be on the horizon, leaving the other contenders to battle it out for a chance at the title.
Anthony Joshua’s shocking defeat has caused him to fall below Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker, the latter being a fighter he has already defeated. Zhang, despite his loss to Parker, is considered a tough opponent for anyone, and there are talks of a possible matchup between him and the 10th-ranked heavyweight Martin Bakole.
Up-and-coming Agit Kabayel, discussing a potential bout with Joseph Parker, currently holds the seventh spot and is aiming to break into the top five. Deontay Wilder (#9) and Filip Hrgovic (#8) are holding onto their respective rankings for now.
