International Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois has taunted Anthony Joshua following their September clash, claiming he sent the British-Nigerian into retirement after his fifth-round knockout victory.
The 27-year-old champion, who dropped Joshua five times en route to a stunning stoppage win, took a swipe at his rival, who has been forced to delay his return to the ring due to minor injuries.
“Everyone is always talking about AJ but where is he? I can’t find him. Where is he? I think I put him in a retirement home,” Dubois told Sky Sports.
The champion expressed frustration at the continued focus on Joshua despite his victory.
“All this talk about AJ and people keeping him excuses for the loss. It’s time for people to celebrate the new king. I keep seeing people crying over AJ’s loss rather than celebrating the new king,” Dubois added.
“It’s almost like someone has died and the country has gone into mourning. I don’t know if everyone else saw it, but I did.”
With Joshua’s delayed return scuppering plans for a February 2025 rematch, Dubois will now defend his IBF title against Joseph Parker on February 22.
The champion, who has bounced back from defeats to Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk, is already eyeing bigger challenges, particularly the winner of this weekend’s Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch.
“I want the winner, I want to fight for the undisputed. That is what the aim is now, that is the goal. I have been through the ups and downs but I’m a new man. I am a man of the future and I’m ready to fight for the undisputed and win and go down in boxing history,” he told talkSPORT.
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