Daniel Dubois is set free to slaughter any lamb he wants.
The Ring has confirmed that Dubois remains in the voluntary phase of his IBF heavyweight title reign. The distinction works to his advantage, especially as there are plans for the British knockout artist to return in February.
IBF officials confirmed that Dubois (22-2, 21 knockouts) has until April 22 to defend his belt against any Top 15 contender. His obligation will be paid after that, although one has yet to be named. That should come in the scheduled Martin Bakole-Agit Kabayel title eliminator, which is now headed for a purse trial.
By then, Dubois hopes to have filed the second defense of his improbable title reign.
The distinction of being able to face any contender once upon a time would have paved the way for an Anthony Joshua rematch. Dubois beat the former two-time unified titleholder via fifth-round knockout on September 21 at Wembley Stadium in London.
The feat validated Dubois’ heavyweight title reign after being upgraded from interim belt holder. Dubois defeated undefeated Filip Hrgovic by eighth-round stoppage in their secondary IBF heavyweight title fight on June 1. The belt was moved to full status after RING champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) vacated the IBF belt in time for it to be up for grabs in September.
Dubois seized the moment and took his third straight stop win. All came in the wake of his knockout loss to Usyk last August.
The trio of wins over the distance also came at Riyadh Season-brand events. Dubois will make a fourth straight appearance on that track, likely next February.
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) was the targeted opponent, even though their September meeting was one-sided and decisive. His team is now reluctant to continue with this option.
Sky Sports have theorized that undefeated Fabio Wardley (18-0-1, 17 KOs) is in line to get the plum assignment. Former WBO heavyweight titleholder and now-resurgent contender Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) has also pledged his willingness to face Dubois.
