Following the gripping rematch between heavyweight titans Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, the spotlight has shifted to Daniel Dubois, who didn't hesitate to give his candid opinion on the future of Fury's boxing career. Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight champion, stated outright, “Fury had a great career. I think it’s time for him to hang it up. I don’t know. He should retire. He’s done everything. Now it’s my time, I will be the next champion,” as reported by Fight News.
The rematch took place on December 21, 2023, at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fans were treated to another electrifying performance by Usyk, who successfully defended his titles against Fury by unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 116-112 across all cards, solidifying Usyk's dominance within the heavyweight class.
Immediately after the fight, Dubois took to the ring to congratulate Usyk on his victory. He then wasted no time in issuing his challenge for a rematch against Usyk, claiming he had been 'robbed' during their first encounter back on August 2023, when their fight ended controversially with Dubois being knocked out. Usyk, quick to accept the challenge, recognizes Dubois's ambition but remains focused on his recent success against Fury.
Dubois's ambitions come at a time when he is set to face former WBO champion Joseph Parker on February 22, 2024, also slated to be held in Riyadh. Before Dubois can dream of unifying titles with Usyk, his promoter Alexander Krasyuk emphasized the need for Dubois to concentrate solely on Parker. He noted, “Dubois should fight Joseph Parker, and this is a tough fight for him. It’s too early to mention Daniel’s name concerning Usyk,” reported by Sky Sports.
The commentary surrounding Dubois's quick jump to challenge Usyk raised eyebrows among boxing analysts. Former world champion Carl Frampton and commentator Steve Buns voiced their concerns. Frampton remarked, “I understand Dubois just wanted to push for the fight, but his actions seemed slightly disrespectful to both Fury and Usyk.” Meanwhile, Buns elaborated on the emotional weight of Fury's situation, stating, “I am sure Fury left the ring because of this. Imagine being on top for so long and then losing... then Dubois enters the scene.”
Fury's future is now uncertain following this defeat, which marked his second loss as a professional. He faces mounting pressure from fans and analysts to reconsider his career choices, and Dubois's comments only added fuel to the fire. Dubois believes the heavyweight division is primed for new blood, arguing, “Now it’s my time, I will be the next champion.” His desire to step up is palpable, yet success hinges on his performance against Parker.
Despite the excitement and ambition present, the heavyweight division remains fraught with challenges. The aftermath of the Usyk vs. Fury rematch will likely dictate the immediate paths for both fighters and the consequences of their decisions. For Dubois, the call to face Usyk is laden with anticipation, yet carefully charted career decisions need to be made with each fight.
The heavyweight boxing scene is buzzing, with potential matchups creating waves within the sport. Both fans and experts alike are eager to see whether Dubois can deliver against Parker and if he will secure the much-coveted chance to avenge his earlier loss to Usyk. These next outings will be pivotal not just for Dubois’s career but also for the direction of heavyweight boxing moving forward.
