Fresh off a dominant performance to defend his World Boxing Organization heavyweight championship, Daniel Dubois has set his sights on the absolute pinnacle of the division, targetting a ground-breaking clash with Tyson Fury in 2027.
Dubois reaffirmed his status at the top of the division on Saturday, sweeping aside challenger Fabio Wardley in just two rounds of their high-stakes rematch. The emphatic stoppage not only cemented Dubois’ reign as the WBO champion but also opened the door to potentially massive bout options across the heavyweight landscape. Having dispatched Wardley with ruthless efficiency, Dubois is now looking ahead to the ultimate test of his career, believing that a showdown against Fury represents the definitive next step in his professional journey.
The prospect of an all-British mega-fight between Dubois and Fury hinges on several crucial moving parts within the division over the coming months. Fury is currently preparing for his own highly anticipated super-fight against Anthony Joshua set for December 11. That contest carries immense stakes of its own, with the WBA ‘super’ heavyweight title on the line. Should Fury emerge victorious against Joshua and claim the WBA belt, the stage would be set for a colossal unification fight between Dubois and Fury, bringing together two of Britain’s premier heavyweight titleholders in a fight for divisional supremacy.
For Dubois, the opportunity to share the ring with Fury is more than just another title defense; it is the culmination of a career spent taking on the most formidable opponents of his era. Speaking about the prospect of facing Fury, Dubois expressed immense enthusiasm for what he views as a career-defining event.
"Definitely. That’ll be ground-breaking. That’ll be the next level for me," Dubois said in an interview with Sky Sports. "I’ve fought everyone then really from this era. I’ve fought them all. Fury’s the last one."
Dubois’ assertion that he has tested himself against the elite of his generation is backed up by his resume. The WBO champion has consistently sought out the biggest fights available, having already headlined massive stadium events and shared the ring with the heavyweight division’s most revered names. Among those high-profile encounters were two blockbuster headlining appearances at Wembley Stadium, where Dubois took on former multi-belt champion Anthony Joshua and current consensus pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk.
Because of those experiences on boxing’s grandest stages, Dubois feels entirely at home in the spotlight of a mega-fight. He remains convinced that a matchup between himself and Fury would captivate the sporting public and easily fill any major stadium in the world.
"This is what boxing is. This is the highest level really, this is it at the highest level. This is what it looks like," Dubois stated, emphasizing the magnitude of the potential clash.
The logistical framework for arranging a bout of this scale appears remarkably straightforward due to shared promotional ties. Both Dubois and Fury are promoted by Frank Warren, the founder of Queensberry Promotions. Dubois believes that Warren’s involvement makes the match clean to execute from a promotional standpoint, provided Fury handles his business in his upcoming bout.
"Fury’s a fighting man, I’m sure he would want it. Let’s see how he does with AJ. Let’s see. I’m sure Frank would love to make that fight," Dubois noted, pointing to the promoter who oversees both fighters’ careers.
While a future fight against Fury would take place under the blinding lights of a packed stadium with world championships on the line, the two fighters actually share a history that dates back to the very beginning of Dubois’ professional career. Long before Dubois established himself as a world champion, he crossed paths with Fury in a gym environment during a memorable sparring session.
Recalling those early days, Dubois explained how the impromptu session came about while he was still laying the groundwork for his professional journey.
"That was just when I was turning pro," Dubois recalled. "I went to spar his cousin Hughie and then he popped in for a few rounds. Great memories, great work."
At the time, Fury was in the process of launching his now-legendary comeback to boxing after a prolonged period away from the sport, during which his weight had increased significantly. Despite Fury’s physical condition at the time, Dubois remembered being deeply impressed by the heavyweight’s movement and boxing skills.
"So he was massive then," Dubois said with a laugh, before adding: "He was elusive."
That early encounter served as an invaluable learning experience for a young Dubois, giving him a firsthand look at the movement and skill set that made Fury one of the most unique heavyweight competitors in history. Now, years later, Dubois is preparing to face a fully realized version of Fury, no longer as a young prospect getting work in a sparring session, but as a fellow world champion competing at the absolute summit of the sport.
Dubois’ journey to the top of the division has not been without its setbacks. In his previous attempt to capture the undisputed heavyweight championship against Oleksandr Usyk, Dubois ultimately fell short in a hard-fought contest. However, rather than dampening his ambition, that defeat only fueled his determination to climb back to the top and achieve absolute glory in the division.
His primary motivation remains clear: to unify the titles and solidify his place alongside the greatest names in boxing history.
"To win all the belts. That’s the main thing now for me, collecting all the other belts," Dubois declared. "It would mean everything to have all those belts. No one can take that away from me. That’s what I’m after now. Amongst all the names of history, not just that, for myself and what’s left to achieve in boxing as well."
What next?
While the prospect of a 2027 clash with Fury looms on the horizon, Dubois has no intention of sitting idle while the rest of the division plays out. Because his rematch with Fabio Wardley concluded so quickly—requiring only two rounds of action—Dubois emerged from the fight entirely unscathed and eager to return to the ring as quickly as possible.
The champion expressed a strong desire to keep his momentum going without taking an extended layoff, making it clear that he wants his team to secure his next defense immediately.
"Soon, really soon. I want to be out soon, as soon as possible," Dubois said regarding his timetable for a return. "Whenever the belts are ready, whenever the top challengers are ready, that’s what I want. I want to fight."
In terms of immediate potential opponents, Dubois has identified two primary figures currently holding prominent positions in the heavyweight sanctioning bodies: WBC titleholder Agit Kabayel and IBF belt-holder Filip Hrgovic. Dubois already holds a victory over Hrgovic, having defeated him in a previous contest, but the Croatian contender was present ringside for Dubois’ victory over Wardley on Saturday, stoking interest in a potential rematch.
Evaluating the options ahead of him, Dubois expressed complete willingness to take on either challenger, provided there is a world title or top ranking at stake.
"Any one of them [next], Hrgovic, he was there on Saturday, maybe him or Kabayel," Dubois said. "Hrgovic was tough as well, Kabayel, we’ll see, we’ll see what he’s about. He ain’t been in with a guy like me but he’s a good fighter."
Ultimately, Dubois’ criteria for his next outing comes down to a simple requirement: facing high-caliber opposition holding major hardware. Whether his path leads directly to a rematch with Hrgovic, a clash with Kabayel, or an eventual mega-fight against Fury, the WBO champion is ready to take on all comers.
"Just anyone with a damn belt… Anyone who wants it," Dubois concluded.
