Anthony Joshua was there at ringside on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the previous two-time heavyweight champion noticed two potential rivals make themselves such after selecting up massive, notable and spectacular stoppage wins. 26 12 months outdated Daniel Dubois, in what was the most important struggle of his profession, placed on a career-best efficiency in stopping Filip Hrgovic in eight bloody rounds to develop into the IBF interim heavyweight titlist.
Whereas in a while that night time, 41 12 months outdated Zhilei Zhang let free along with his “Massive Bang” in crushing Deontay Wilder within the fifth spherical and really probably ending his profession within the course of. Each Dubois and Zhang appeared good on Saturday, and each massive punchers with expertise at the moment are in an excellent place. As followers know, Turki Alalshikh has an enormous card deliberate for Wembley in September, and AJ would be the headliner.
With each Wilder and Hrgovic now out of the Joshua sweepstakes, it could possibly be both Dubois or Zhang subsequent for the British celebrity. Of those two fighters, who would make the higher, extra thrilling, and maybe most significantly, most testing struggle for Joshua in September? It could be a reasonably fast turnaround for each Dubois and Zhang, however neither man picked up any injury of their respective wins, though Dubois did eat some hefty wallops from Hrgovic.
And with the form of massive cash that’s up for grabs, it’s probably each Zhang and Dubois can be up for a September date with AJ. Each fights can be massive, attention-grabbing, and really probably fan-friendly. And although Joshua can be the favorite over both Zhang or Dubois, neither struggle is something like a foregone conclusion. That is heavyweight boxing, and everyone knows something can and sometimes does occur. Each Dubois, 21-2(20) and Zhang, 27-2-1(22) can whack and each males have proven they will take an excellent shot.
Dubois, who actually does look to be coming into his personal as a fighter, can be enjoying his half within the newest Battle of Britain if he fough AJ subsequent, whereas for Zhang it might be rematch time, the 2 having met as Olympians again within the day; with AJ scoring a knockdown on the way in which to a factors win over the large southpaw. Once more, each of those potential fights would don’t have any bother promoting. Additionally, as accustomed as we’re to stacked playing cards lately, Alalshikh will be anticipated to place collectively some nice supporting bouts. It guarantees to be a rocking night time at Wembley on the finish of the summer time.
So, of the 2 doable challengers, who ought to AJ struggle subsequent? If it’s Dubois, it’s an opportunity for AJ to reclaim not less than a portion of the world title. If it’s Zhang, Joshua would have the chance to develop into the primary man to cease the man-mountain from China.
Perhaps Joshua, 28-3(25) will find yourself dealing with each Dubois and Zhang down the highway, however so far as who’s subsequent, my cash’s on Dubois getting the gig. And this one can be energetic if it occurs. In truth, it could possibly be “Dynamite.” Think about what a narrative it might be if Dubois, all however written off by some after his grotesque eye damage of a defeat to Joe Joyce in November of 2020, pulled off a win over Joshua!
Final Up to date on 06/03/2024
