Anthony Joshua Rematch To Hold By April As Eddie Hearn Disapproves February Window

Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua's trainer has kicked out February as the rematch window for a second bout between AJ and Daniel Dubois. Hearn proposed April as ideal for the fight.

Anthony Joshua, Nigerian-born British boxer and a two-time heavyweight champion was defeated by Dubois and eventually lost his belt. After his defeat, AJ had promised to come back for a rematch.

Speaking about a rematch, Warren who is Dubois trainer wanted the fight to happen as early possible. He proposed that the fight happen in February with either Joshua, or any top five boxers.

"I'd have that in a heartbeat," Frank Warren, Dubois' promoter, told Sky Sports. "He's got it [if he wants it]."

Warren, though, doubts that Joshua's team ultimately will take it, adding: "Who'd you advise him to fight?"

"He is the champion and it'll be done in his terms,"

"Daniel will defend his title in February and if it's not Joshua then it'll be against somebody who is ranked in the top five."

February is the window for that fight because later in the year Dubois could be looking at an undisputed world title shot of his own, especially if that came against previous conqueror Oleksandr Usyk.

"What a great rematch that would be," Warren said.
"He wants that."
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, revealed however that while AJ wants that rematch, he might not be ready for February.

"Our concern at the moment is just timing," Hearn told Sky Sports. "You've got a few little niggles, you get them looked at and then you can't punch again for four, five weeks. If we're going to fight him in February, we need to start camp in about three weeks' time. It's quite a fast turnaround."

Hearn continued: "Ideally we'd like to return around May time. It does feel as though it's coming on quite quickly.

"From a body perspective we could probably do with a little bit more time ideally. Sometimes it's not ideal and you just go for it. But we just need to decide are we going to be ready.

"[Joshua] has told me categorically: 'I want the rematch.' But it's just a case of whether he's going to be ready for February and that's something they're going to have to decide.

"It's not ruled out. But we do appreciate it's a fast turnaround."