A few of boxing’s largest names might function in a “big surprise” early in 2025, with a possible rematch between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois being thought-about for February of subsequent yr.
In an unique interview with Sky Sports activities, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Normal Leisure Authority, which levels the Riyadh Season occasions, revealed {that a} main struggle card is being put collectively that may pit rival promoters Queensberry and Matchroom towards one another.
In June Queensberry beat Matchroom in a ‘5 vs 5’ crew match. A second model of that occasion is being labored on for February which might see Daniel Dubois rematch Anthony Joshua.
Talking after the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol press convention, Alalshikh informed Sky Sports activities: “See in February again Queensberry against Matchroom, 5 vs 5, we will finish it maybe this week with a big surprise and then let’s see the result about this fight, the result of the big fight December 21, [Oleksandr] Usyk-Tyson [Fury].
“Joshua, Dubois, Tyson, Usyk, everybody, everybody on the road.
“This is what we want. We want the big fights and to see who’s really the best fighters in each division.”
Final month Dubois, the holder of the IBF heavyweight world title, blasted Joshua, a former two-time unified world champion, all the way down to a stoppage defeat inside 5 rounds at Wembley.
Queensberry’s Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, welcomed the prospect of a rematch.
“It’s all about styles but also with AJ, you’ve got to put him on the back foot and that’s what he did,” Warren informed Sky Sports activities.
“He put him on the back foot. That first jab he threw snapped his head back and that set the pattern of the fight. I think it was the fourth round, he caught Daniel with an uppercut, that was his most significant punch.
“[But] you need AJ to commerce with you, as a result of if he trades, he is susceptible. As soon as he throws that punch, you possibly can catch him on the counter and that is what he did.”
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, beforehand informed Sky Sports activities: “I know that he is leaning towards the rematch because he wants to win the world heavyweight title.
“Combating [Deontay] Wilder, [or] ready for Fury, and then you definitely’ve obtained all subsequent yr effervescent round probably not combating for the world heavyweight title.
“If it’s solely down to AJ, which it will be at the end of the day, I think it’s going to be very hard to talk him out of taking the rematch.”
Fabio Wardley’s large rematch with Frazer Clarke is on the epic Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol invoice on Saturday October 12 reside on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace. E book Wardley vs Clarke 2 and Beterbiev vs Bivol now!