Daniel Dubois, the IBF heavyweight world champion, believes Anthony Joshua “wasn’t ready” to fight him on 22 February next year, despite lengthy talks about their prospective rematch.
Dubois, 27, was expected to fight Joshua again after beating him in September, but will instead face top contender Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua’s team say the former unified world champion is carrying an injury and Dubois says Parker, 32, is a “different” challenge than his domestic rival.
“I don’t think Joshua was ready for it. Where is AJ? I can’t find him. I’ve been looking for AJ but I can’t find him. On to the next one now,” Dubois told BBC Sport.
“Parker’s been on a good run, he’s experienced and a veteran.
“I just have to be faster and better than him in every department. I think I’ll do a job on him but it will be a good fight.”
Dubois was speaking from his hotel in Riyadh having flown into town in time for Oleksandr Usyk’s news conference with Tyson Fury on Thursday.
The world champion will be ringside to watch WBC, WBO and WBA (Super) champion Usyk defend his title against Fury on Saturday.
Dubois ran into his next opponent Parker in the hotel, embracing the New Zealander before giving him a fist bump.
Dubois targets Usyk v Fury 2 winner
Despite his upcoming title defence, Dubois is eager to fight the winner of Usyk-Fury and said he would take on either, but would prefer to face Usyk, who he lost to in 2023.
Dubois, who was stopped in the ninth round, floored Usyk in the fifth round of their unification contest but it was deemed a low blow.
“I’d be happy [to fight Fury] but I’d love to fight Usyk after what happened in Poland and the history behind it. I’d love to get that back and do a rematch,” Dubois said.
“I don’t think he would say no to business. Money talks in boxing and it would be a huge fight to get that back, to right that wrong.
“I’m the world champion and he’s got the other belts to make it [an] undisputed [fight].”
Usyk has teased a move back down to cruiserweight should he beat Fury for a second time, but Dubois feels that is unlikely.
Having faced Usyk, Dubois said Fury would need to “jump” the Ukrainian to beat him, but when asked to pick a winner, he would not.
“They are both top guys. It was a good back and forth last time, Fury showed his chin,” Dubois said.
“I’m sitting on the fence. Either man.”
