British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has been dealt a blow in his pursuit of a title fight, as fellow fighter Daniel Dubois has called out a potential opponent. Dubois has expressed his interest in fighting Filip Hrgovic, who is the current IBF mandatory challenger for the belt held by Oleksandr Usyk. This development could potentially impact Joshua's chances of securing a match against Hrgovic.
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Dubois Steps Up
Daniel Dubois, a rising star in the heavyweight division, has made it known that he wants to face Filip Hrgovic. In a video shared on social media, Dubois can be seen training and challenging Hrgovic to a fight, stating, "Hrgovic, I'm the daddy. I heard you've been calling out everyone else's name but I can't hear my name. Are you ready? I'm ready."
Usyk-Fury Rematch
The current IBF mandatory challenger, Hrgovic, was initially being lined up to face Anthony Joshua. However, Usyk and Tyson Fury, who currently holds the WBC title, have a two-bout deal that includes a rematch clause. This means that Hrgovic may have the opportunity to fight for the interim belt while Usyk and Fury settle their unfinished business.
Potential Roadblocks for Joshua
Anthony Joshua, who is scheduled to fight Francis Ngannou on March 8, had been hoping to secure a title fight against the winner of the Usyk-Fury rematch. However, with the two fighters tied up in their contractual obligations, Joshua's path to a championship bout may face obstacles. Talks have now emerged between Joshua's camp and Hrgovic's camp, indicating a potential matchup between the two heavyweights.
The Future of Heavyweight Boxing
Turki Alalshikh, a prominent figure in Saudi Arabia's boxing scene, has revealed that discussions are underway for a fight between Joshua and Hrgovic. Alalshikh stated, "We are thinking and discussing with Joshua camp and Hrgovic camp to maybe have a fight between them." He also emphasized his commitment to Usyk, ensuring that the Ukrainian boxer would have two additional significant fights in the future.
It remains to be seen how the heavyweight division will unfold, with Joshua, Dubois, Hrgovic, Usyk, and Fury all vying for their respective shots at glory.
