Joshua could wait for Fury vs Usyk 2 result
Eddie Hearn recently shared that while Anthony Joshua is eager to jump back into the ring for a rematch with Daniel Dubois, he may need more time to recover before he's truly ready for it in February.
Currently, Hearn isn't fully set on scheduling the rematch just yet; he’s weighing whether Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) should hold off on deciding until summer or see the outcome of the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk showdown on December 21st. The choice could potentially pave the way for a Fury-Joshua fight instead. Hearn says Joshua’s decision will come in the next three weeks, although he's been hinting at this since Joshua’s recent fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois in September. With the December clash looming, it’s likely Hearn will continue to hold off on finalizing Joshua's next opponent until the dust settles between Fury and Usyk.
Hearn’s statements seem to hint at a possible Fury match-up for Joshua, and it’s no wonder. Dubois, still young, powerful, and durable, could be a much tougher challenge for 35-year-old Joshua to avenge. Plus, a fight with Fury, even if he loses the rematch with Usyk, could be a financially and strategically smarter option for Joshua.
“Anthony has told me he wants that rematch with Dubois. The question is, will he be ready by February?” Hearn explained to iFL TV. “It would mean getting back to camp in three weeks, and after reviewing his physical condition, he needs to be 100% ready.” Hearn mentions that the team is deciding between February or a summer return. Yet, it’s pretty clear Joshua’s team is waiting to see what happens in the Fury-Usyk rematch. It seems like Hearn and Joshua both lean toward that lucrative Fury fight rather than facing Dubois, especially with the risk of another bruising loss against the younger champion.
Joshua's options appear clear-cut: either rematch Dubois or take a high-stakes fight with Fury if Fury emerges as the victor on December 21st. “There’s no interest in any warmup fights. He wants the biggest challenges out there,” Hearn confirmed. Joshua doesn’t want to risk his standing with an interim bout, particularly since his fifth-round loss to Dubois may have shaken his durability. Hearn put it plainly: “Of course, he’s a fighter, and he wants to avenge the defeat, but if Fury wins, you have a huge unification opportunity with Joshua. If Fury loses, then you still have some big fights that could mark defining moments for both men.”
If Hearn just openly admitted that Joshua prefers the Fury fight, it would hardly come as a surprise. Let’s face it: Hearn isn’t keen on a rematch with Dubois, who poses an undeniable challenge to Joshua. Dubois, with his strength and relentlessness, could likely defeat Joshua even if they met earlier in their careers.
In a decisive move, Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, has announced that the rematch won’t happen until early 2025 if it does at all. “Daniel is the champion, and it’ll be on his terms,” Warren stated, clarifying that if Joshua isn’t ready, Dubois will face another top-five ranked contender in February. Warren further hinted that by late 2025, Dubois could be eyeing a shot at an undisputed title, potentially against Usyk. “Daniel wants that fight; it would be a fantastic rematch,” Warren added.
Hearn admitted that although Joshua is dedicated to the rematch, the February timeline feels tight. “We ideally need a bit more recovery time. Joshua’s telling me, ‘I want that rematch,’ but it’s all about whether he’s physically ready for February,” Hearn shared with Sky Sports. “It’s a fast turnaround, but we’ll decide soon.”
