Spencer Oliver believes Anthony Joshua should be fighting Daniel Dubois next for a second time.
Joshua was stunned by Dubois in their IBF heavyweight world title clash in December, being dropped four times en route to a damaging defeat.
It was expected an immediate sequel would happen in Saudi Arabia in February, with Joshua fuelled by revenge when planning his future for 2025.
But it appears that is now off the cards, with Joshua still suffering from ‘minor injuries’, which are expected to delay his return.
It is likely he will now wait for the outcome of Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, with one eye on facing Fury.
Friend of Joshua and talkSPORT pundit Oliver believes it is a risk to do that, and wants to see him pursue redemption.
“For me is no credibility in that [accepting another fight],” Oliver said on the latest episode of talkBOXING.
“If you get the opportunity to fight Daniel Dubois again and it’s on the table that’s where I’m going.
“Fighting like a Dillian Whyte for example, AJ clearly has trouble with his style and risk and reward of that doesn’t outweigh it.
“It would be better to go in with Daniel Dubois and daring to be great and become a three-time heavyweight champion.”
When asked if he could face lower popularity from the boxing public if he doesn’t go back in with Dubois, he added: “That is the consequences he could face.
“That’s the world we live in. At this stage of your career, you need to go in there and roll the dice.
“That’s where I’m at with it, I’m sure he’d want too as well. He’s obviously being guided to go elsewhere.
“They have said he won’t be ready by February 22, that’s a long time away.”
Joshua now faces an anxious wait to pencil in his next move, with one fight remaining on his contract with Saudi sports event festival Riyadh Season.
There will likely be alternative options should he fail to secure a bout against Fury or Dubois, with Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte mentioned.
His promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested he is still in a good position, with a later date against Dubois still potentially on the cards.
“As frustrating as it is to certain people in boxing, AJ is arguably still the biggest star in the heavyweight division, having just lost,” Hearn said. “
“That’s the reality of the situation. He’s going to be fine. He can walk into any fight. Personally, he wants to fight Daniel Dubois.
“Maybe we will fight him in the summer, or maybe we will see what happens on December 21 between Fury and Usyk.
“I think Fury, win or lose, will want to fight AJ next and that’s something we’ve got to decide.”
