Daniel Dubois’ representatives are eyeing up a new opponent for his next fight.
‘Triple D’ knocked out Anthony Joshua in September to retain his IBF title and was in talks over a rematch with the Watford powerhouse.
However, negotiations have since come to a grinding halt.
Dubois is slated to return to the ring on February 22, which AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn claims is too tight of a turnaround for his client, who is still nursing some ‘niggles’ from their inaugural encounter.
As a result, Dubois’ team has moved on from the all-British showdown and has begun talking to other potential foes.
IBF president Daryl Peoples confirmed earlier this week that Dubois can make an optional defence of his red and gold strap against any ranked fighter before April 22′.
But according to Boxing Scene, the fighter at the top of Queensberry’s list of opponents is Joseph Parker, who isn’t currently ranked within the IBF’s top 15.
The Kiwi is in great form, having recently scored statement wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, but he isn’t eligible to be rated by the IBF due to his status as the WBO ‘interim’ champion.
Major sanctioning bodies don’t rank champions from other organisations so Parker wouldn’t be eligible to face Dubois unless he gives up his belt and receives a ranking from the IBF.
According to Boxing Scene, Queensberry Promotions want the highest calibre opponent possible for Dubois in February and as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are tied up with their rematch on December 21, Parker is the next best option.
“What you have seen with the matchmaking at Riyadh Season is it will be one of the best, if not the best, available candidate,” a source told BoxingScene.
“Parker isn’t rated because he has another title [with the WBO] but, ultimately, if you made the fight, they would take that into consideration.
“You can easily make the application and justification that he deserves to be rated.”
Parker recently came on talkSPORT to campaign for a fight with Dubois while the champion has openly welcomed the challenge as well.
“I have been very vocal about wanting to fight Daniel Dubois,” he told talkSPORT Fight Night last week.
“I think he’s done exceptionally well, he done a great job against Anthony Joshua to get that devastating KO.
“He looked great versus Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua. But there’s a difference.
“I’m fresh, I’m hungry and ready to go. I’ve been waiting since March for a big fight, let’s get it on now.
“I feel like they have asked around different opponents to see which one fits, so there are a few hurdles to jump.
“But I feel like it can happen and I want it to happen, but hopefully everyone can come together and make it happen.”
