Former IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois is eyeing up a return to the throne but has played down the chances of a fellow former champion reclaiming world honours, believing him to be ‘done’.
Dubois lost his IBF crown when he challenged Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title at Wembley Stadium last July, but the 28-year-old remains hopeful that he can bounce back and stake a claim for a shot at becoming a two-time champion.
As for Usyk, the Ukrainian sensation opted to vacate the WBO world title and forego his status as the undisputed champion in order to allow him to select his next opponent, thus allowing Fabio Wardley to be upgraded to full WBO world champion.
After much deliberation, it appears as though former WBC heavyweight ruler Deontay Wilder sits atop Usyk’s hit-list, despite a run that has seen ‘The Bronze Bomber’ lose four of his last six bouts.
Speaking to iFL TV, Dubois played down Wilder’s chances in that proposed contest, labelling the American as ‘done’ before stating his belief that the clash has come a few years too late.
“What’s Wilder? Done.
I don’t know [about the fight], it’s a name thing, I’m looking forward to that fight like everyone else, it would be better if they fought back in the day but let’s see.”
Wilder has made it clear that his main mission left in the sport is to become champion once again.
“Here I am, the mission is the same, I gotta get these titles man, I gotta do what I gotta do, to feel that greatness, to show the world how great I am, like they know I am.
It continues, and I’m looking forward to it. I feels good to be a veteran.”
Despite talk of Usyk-Wilder, it seems as though Wilder will first face Derek Chisora in London. Victory there could tee-up a showdown with the unified heavyweight world champion, where Wilder would have the chance to complete a remarkable comeback to the top table.
