Daniel Dubois is targeting a trilogy against Oleksandr Usyk after a controversial coming-of-age victory over Fabio Wardley at The O2 Arena.
The WBO world champion dominated their rematch early on, knocking out Wardley after just 17 seconds before referee Steve Gray stopped the fight in the second round as the dogs continued to take heavy punishment.
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Dubois has secured his place in the top division of the heavyweight division, and now he is determined to avenge his two previous big losses to Ukraine, convinced he now has the tools he needs to win.
Usyk returned the WBC, WBA and IBF belts shortly after a late stoppage against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May. However, he intends to fight, as author Frank Warren prepares to “get back into the equation”.
“Definitely, definitely — I love it,” Dubois said. “We came out on top this season. We made mistakes and we came out on top.
“I want to continue the momentum I have from this fight and take it into the next one. I will fight whoever is next in line, whoever pays the most!”
Daniel Dubois brutally attacked Fabius Wardley at The O2 Arena (Nick Potts/PA).
Considered an overwhelmingly tough opponent due to his seniority, Dubois suggests that he is a fighter who has entered his prime while outside the ring he is even more calm in the public eye.
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Revealing just last week what guitar he plays, the 29-year-old Londoner is winning over friends with his awkward sense of humor. But he is also impatient for the line of his nearest adversary.
Usyk is one possibility, as is the winner of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua on December 11, IBF champion Filip Hrgovic, WBC belt holder Agit Kabayel and WBA king Murat Gassiev.
On the far horizon is a Thunder show with Moses Itauma and Warren expected to be the undisputed champion within eighteen months following a series of unification stadium fights.
“The name of the game is to get four belts,” Warren said. “Daniel wants four belts but the other guys and that’s what’s so exciting that we’re going to do it. Let’s find out who’s the best.”
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“When Daniels is in his hands, you’ve got a fighter who can take those shots. This is a huge punch and if he gets you in trouble, you’re in trouble.”
Wardley vowed to come back after the second defeat of his career, but after losing to Dubois twice, a heavy loss in the process and brutally exposed to technical limitations, a place in the division was missing.
Usyk dropped the WBC, WBA and IBF belts soon after he worked hard to stop kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May, but is fighting, with promoter Frank Warren ready to get him back into the equation.
He also threatened to walk into the ring with Dubois but refused the decision to go after Wardley.
“No, it wasn’t deliberate, it just happened,” Dubois said. “I was so into it that I couldn’t deny it. I refused to lose it.”
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“He had a lot of mental scars, so I had to bring him back to that place. He has no memory.
“Fabio’s got a huge chin and he’s known for penalties but I’ll go through him with my fists. I’ll have to pull back and rebuild sometimes.”