Anthony Joshua ‘to be tempted into Daniel Dubois fight’ as trainer Shane McGuigan tips pair for all-British clash

SHANE MCGUIGAN reckons Anthony Joshua might be tempted to fight fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.

AJ has lost his last two fights to undefeated Ukrainian powerhouse Oleksandr Usyk.

ReutersShane McGuigan reckons Daniel Dubois could fight Anthony Joshua in 2023[/caption]

ReutersJoshua has lost each of his last two fights to Oleksandr Usyk[/caption]

He’s recently been taking time out the ring, but the former two-time world heavyweight champion is hoping to return in 2023.

However, he’s yet to find an opponent after his eagerly-anticipated fight with Tyson Fury was called off in September.

Eddie Hearn recently spoke about who AJ could face in his next fight by saying: “It will be a top 15 guy and he’ll be ready to show the world he’s coming for the heavyweight title again.”

But trainer McGuigan reckons that Dubois, who beat Kevin Lerena on Fury’s undercard last weekend despite being put down three times, could come into the conversation.

He told Sky Sports: “Maybe. If we can have that [Anthony Joshua] fight, why not? Definitely.

“It comes down to getting people at the right time.

“AJ might think he’s getting Daniel at the right time when he hasn’t got the experience and potentially he might think [Dubois’] confidence might be lacking.

“But we also would have to look at that fight and think, we’re getting him at the right time.

“But it’s down to Martin Bowers [Dubois’ manager] and Frank [Warren, his promoter], that are going to be matching his next move. Obviously, we sit down and we discuss it.

“No one’s ever been queuing up to fight Daniel. Especially the big names because they think, ‘I’m going to walk into heavy shots there and he’s got a puncher’s chance and what’s there really to gain from it?’

“He’s got the WBA ‘regular’ title. He’s also showed in their eyes a bit of weakness in that last fight.

If Joshua isn’t ready to fight, McGuigan hinted that another all-British bout could be on the cards.

He added: “I think Dillian Whyte’s perfect. He’s just come off a win. Apparently he doesn’t want the AJ fight at the moment.

“I don’t know if AJ’s going to be ready in that timeframe. That would be great for us.”