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Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois for IBF title a 'big possibility' for September show at Wembley

Raj Mahil

Updated 03/06/2024 at 07:12 GMT+1

As Anthony Joshua watched from ringside at the Queensberry v Matchroom 5 v 5 event, his next opponent may well have been revealed. Daniel Dubois produced a superb victory over Filip Hrgovic, forcing the fight to be waved off in the eighth round. 'Dynamite' has now vowed to "demolish" Joshua at Wembley later this year, in what is set to be an IBF title collision.

5 vs 5 Highlights: Dubois halts bloodied Hrgovic with dazzling display

Daniel Dubois is eyeing a September showdown with Anthony Joshua, as Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn both talked up the prospects of a British blockbuster.
The UK's top promoters selected rosters to collide on Saturday evening, in a unique 5 vs 5 event, live on TNT Sports Box Office. Warren's Queensberry emerged as the runaway victors, with all five of his men winning against their Matchroom counterparts.
Dubois was among them, beating Filip Hrgovic to become interim IBF world champion - making him the No. 1 contender for Oleksandr Usyk's crown.
The waters are muddied, however, by undisputed king Usyk having a rematch scheduled with Tyson Fury as his next outing. Given the IBF mandatory is long overdue, the governing body is likely to force the Ukrainian to vacate his title.
It means that a fight between the top two challengers - the interim titleholder versus Joshua, who has often spoken of his desire to become a three-time world champion - is on the cards for this year.
Hrgovic had patiently waited for that shot after racking up 17 wins without defeat, climbing the rankings - albeit his best win, against Zhilei Zhang, was a controversial one on the scorecards.
The Croatian's plan is now in tatters, though, having been dealt a first loss of his pro career by a man he previously sparred with, in Dubois.
'Dynamite' continued his sensational bounceback from last year's loss to Usyk, looking a fighter reborn with TKO victories over Jarrell 'Big Baby' Miller and now Hrgovic.
In an all-out war, the 26-year-old caused so much damage to Hrgovic with his left-handed bombs in the seventh round that the referee called a halt to assess the damage.
The barrage went on, and in the eighth session the doctor was called to determine whether Hrgovic could safely carry on. It was waved off, with blood streaming down his face.
Dubois immediately turned his attention to superstar 'AJ' in the aftermath, saying in the ring: "Bring it on."
The Greenwich native then told Boxing King Media: "It's the dream, getting the chance to win the world title. I would demolish [AJ]. I get even better from here."
Promoter Warren added to Seconds Out: "If that fight comes off, and I hope it does, two big British punchers... that would be something extra special. Underdog? It doesn't bother me and doesn't bother him."
Hearn, who oversees Joshua, told IFL TV: "It's a big possibility. We're going to head to [Saudi General Entertainment Authority chief Turki Alalshikh's house] now and start planning that Wembley card.
"The September card at Wembley will be headlined by Joshua. [Alalshikh] wanted to look at the [Deontay] Wilder fight - that's out the window, but the Dubois fight could be there. An all-British fight for the heavyweight title, which is of interest to us."
The card at Wembley - which will mark the second of 'Riyadh Season' to take place outside of Saudi Arabia - is scheduled for September 21.
Joshua, like Dubois, has recovered well under new trainers since his defeats to Usyk in 2021 and 2022. The 34-year-old defeated Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius under the tutelage of Derrick James, before Ben Davison helped him produce a brilliant pair of displays against Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.
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