Daniel Dubois set to face Anthony Joshua’s former foe on stacked card featuring Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch
Daniel Dubois is reportedly set to make the second defence of his IBF title against Joseph Parker on February 22. The heavyweight clash is expected to headline a stacked card in Saudi Arabia, which could include Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol‘s rematch for the former’s undisputed light-heavyweight crown following their tight encounter in October. GETTYDubois is in talks to face Parker on a stacked card in the Middle East[/caption] That is according to esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael, who also reports that an IBF welterweight title fight between champion Jaron Ennis and challenger Vergil Ortiz is also in the works for the February bill. Ennis recently defended the red and gold strap against Karen Chukhadzhian in a rematch last month and has been calling for the big fights to no avail. Finally, he will face a worthy challenger in fellow undefeated fighter Ortiz, who comes in fresh off a gruelling majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk. Hamzah Sheeraz’s long-awaited shot at middleweight gold could also land on the bill. Sheeraz, who is ranked highly with all four major sanctioning bodies, has chosen to go down the WBC route first and will face champion Carlos Adames next. The fifth fight that is being explored for February is an all-action heavyweight dust-up between Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang. Kabayel is the highest-ranked heavyweight by the IBF and was slated to be Dubois’ next opponent for a time after he pulled out of a final eliminator with Martin Bakole. Instead, he is being targeted for a fight with Zhang, while Parker is the frontrunner to box Dubois. ‘Triple D’ knocked out Joshua in September to retain his IBF belt and was in talks over an immediate sequel. However, negotiations have since fallen by the wayside. Beterbiev and Bivol’s rematch could also land on the billTop Rank As a result, Dubois‘ team moved on from the all-British showdown and began talking to other potential foes. IBF president Daryl Peoples confirmed earlier this month that Dubois ‘can make an optional defence of his world title against any ranked fighter before April 22’. Parker is not currently ranked by the IBF due to his status as a WBO ‘interim’ champion. The Kiwi, who previously held the full WBO world title before losing it to Joshua in 2018, could give up the ‘interim’ trinket and receive a ranking from the IBF before February 22 so it is not an insurmountable hurdle to overcome. Parker called for a fight with Dubois last month when he appeared on talkSPORT Fight Night. “I have been very vocal about wanting to fight Daniel Dubois,” he said. Stacked Saudi card in full Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker – IBF heavyweight title Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II – WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles Jaron Ennis vs Vergil Ortiz – IBF welterweight title Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – WBC middleweight title Agit Kabayel vs Zhilei Zhang “I think he’s done exceptionally well, he done a great job against Anthony Joshua to get that devastating KO. “He looked great versus Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua. But there’s a difference. “I’m fresh, I’m hungry and ready to go. I’ve been waiting since March for a big fight, let’s get it on now. “I feel like they have asked around different opponents to see which one fits, so there are a few hurdles to jump. “But I feel like it can happen and I want it to happen, but hopefully everyone can come together and make it happen.” Save 33% on DAZN ahead of Black Friday *If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue. There are more than 150 boxing and MMA fights a year on DAZN, and you can get access for less if you sign up now: Head to the DAZN website now to take advantage of a third off all plans. One option is the annual pay monthly plan, which is reduced to £9.99 from £14.99 in the DAZN Black Friday sale. Or you could save more money if you pay for a year upfront, with an annual subscription reduced to £89.99 – the equivalent of £7.50 / month. Complete your purchase before 29 November to take advantage of the sale. DAZN currently has the exclusive rights to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and will have Queensberry’s star-studded stable from April 2025, which includes heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.
Daniel Dubois is reportedly set to make the second defence of his IBF title against Joseph Parker on February 22.
The heavyweight clash is expected to headline a stacked card in Saudi Arabia, which could include Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol‘s rematch for the former’s undisputed light-heavyweight crown following their tight encounter in October.
That is according to esteemed boxing journalist Dan Rafael, who also reports that an IBF welterweight title fight between champion Jaron Ennis and challenger Vergil Ortiz is also in the works for the February bill.
Ennis recently defended the red and gold strap against Karen Chukhadzhian in a rematch last month and has been calling for the big fights to no avail.
Finally, he will face a worthy challenger in fellow undefeated fighter Ortiz, who comes in fresh off a gruelling majority decision win over Serhii Bohachuk.
Hamzah Sheeraz’s long-awaited shot at middleweight gold could also land on the bill.
Sheeraz, who is ranked highly with all four major sanctioning bodies, has chosen to go down the WBC route first and will face champion Carlos Adames next.
The fifth fight that is being explored for February is an all-action heavyweight dust-up between Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang.
Kabayel is the highest-ranked heavyweight by the IBF and was slated to be Dubois’ next opponent for a time after he pulled out of a final eliminator with Martin Bakole.
Instead, he is being targeted for a fight with Zhang, while Parker is the frontrunner to box Dubois.
‘Triple D’ knocked out Joshua in September to retain his IBF belt and was in talks over an immediate sequel.
However, negotiations have since fallen by the wayside.
As a result, Dubois‘ team moved on from the all-British showdown and began talking to other potential foes.
IBF president Daryl Peoples confirmed earlier this month that Dubois ‘can make an optional defence of his world title against any ranked fighter before April 22’.
Parker is not currently ranked by the IBF due to his status as a WBO ‘interim’ champion.
The Kiwi, who previously held the full WBO world title before losing it to Joshua in 2018, could give up the ‘interim’ trinket and receive a ranking from the IBF before February 22 so it is not an insurmountable hurdle to overcome.
Parker called for a fight with Dubois last month when he appeared on talkSPORT Fight Night.
“I have been very vocal about wanting to fight Daniel Dubois,” he said.
Stacked Saudi card in full
Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker – IBF heavyweight title
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II – WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles
Jaron Ennis vs Vergil Ortiz – IBF welterweight title
Carlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz – WBC middleweight title
Agit Kabayel vs Zhilei Zhang
“I think he’s done exceptionally well, he done a great job against Anthony Joshua to get that devastating KO.
“He looked great versus Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua. But there’s a difference.
“I’m fresh, I’m hungry and ready to go. I’ve been waiting since March for a big fight, let’s get it on now.
“I feel like they have asked around different opponents to see which one fits, so there are a few hurdles to jump.
“But I feel like it can happen and I want it to happen, but hopefully everyone can come together and make it happen.”
Save 33% on DAZN ahead of Black Friday
*If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue.
There are more than 150 boxing and MMA fights a year on DAZN, and you can get access for less if you sign up now:
- Head to the DAZN website now to take advantage of a third off all plans.
- One option is the annual pay monthly plan, which is reduced to £9.99 from £14.99 in the DAZN Black Friday sale.
- Or you could save more money if you pay for a year upfront, with an annual subscription reduced to £89.99 – the equivalent of £7.50 / month.
- Complete your purchase before 29 November to take advantage of the sale.
DAZN currently has the exclusive rights to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and will have Queensberry’s star-studded stable from April 2025, which includes heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.
