AJ Rematch ‘A Possibility’ for Dubois, Says New Trainer Tony Sims

The landscape of the heavyweight division is perpetually shifting, a tectonic plate of ambition and power waiting for the next seismic collision. In the aftermath of Daniel Dubois’s stunning, career-redefining victory over Filip Hrgovic, a new and tantalizing fault line has emerged. According to his new trainer, Tony Sims, a second act with Anthony Joshua—a man who once handed him a painful defeat—is not just a dream, but “a possibility.” This revelation sends a shockwave through boxing, promising a narrative rich with redemption, evolution, and unfinished business.

Dubois, once written off by many after that ninth-round stoppage loss to Joshua at Wembley in September 2023, has undergone a profound metamorphosis. Under Sims’s tutelage, the “Dynamite” has detonated with more controlled fury, showcasing improved patience, a sturdier jab, and a chilling resilience. The demolition of the highly-touted Hrgovic wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of rebirth. Now, with the IBF interim title around his waist and positioned as a mandatory challenger in a splintered title picture, Dubois is no longer the prospect. He is the perilous obstacle.

The Architect of a Revival: Tony Sims’s Blueprint

The pivotal figure in this potential rematch narrative is not just Dubois, but the man in his corner. Tony Sims, a respected and cerebral trainer known for his technical acumen, has reframed the 26-year-old Londoner. The fighter who faced AJ over a year ago was powerful but one-dimensional, struggling with adversity and a body attack that ultimately broke his spirit. The Dubois of today, as seen against Hrgovic, carries a different aura.

“When I first started working with Daniel, we focused on the basics under pressure,” Sims might reflect. “It was about composure, about using his athleticism, and about believing he belongs at this level mentally as much as physically.” The results are evident. His performance was a masterclass in sustained aggression tempered by strategic patience. This technical evolution is the single most significant factor that makes a Joshua rematch a compelling, rather than predictable, affair.

• Improved Ring IQ: Less head-hunting, more calculated combination punching.
• Stamina & Composure: Withstood early pressure from a proven contender and finished stronger.
• Body Attack: Once a victim, Dubois has become a practitioner of debilitating body work.

Why The Rematch Makes Sense: Business, Legacy, and Timing

From a pure boxing business standpoint, AJ vs Dubois II is a promoter’s dream. The first fight, held in a stadium packed with 60,000 fans, was a major financial success. The storyline for a sequel writes itself: “Redemption.” For Anthony Joshua, it represents a chance to solidify his dominance and erase any notion that Dubois’s rise diminishes his own victory. For Dubois, it is the ultimate platform to avenge his most public defeat and claim a permanent seat at the sport’s top table.

Critically, the heavyweight title landscape is in chaos. With Oleksandr Usyk vacating the IBF belt, Dubois is poised to be elevated to full champion. Anthony Joshua, holding the IBF title from his win over Dubois, could soon be the former champion looking to reclaim it. This creates a perfect storm where the belts, the narrative, and fan interest align. The timing, for once, feels organic. Both men are likely to fight once more in 2024, setting the stage for a colossal UK stadium fight in the summer of 2025.

Fan demand will be huge. British fight fans have an insatiable appetite for domestic mega-fights, and this iteration would carry more competitive intrigue than the first. The public has witnessed Dubois’s growth and Joshua’s own continued development under Ben Davison. It is no longer a simple case of master versus apprentice; it is a clash between two evolved forces.

Expert Analysis: Stylistic Clash in a New Light

A rematch would be a fundamentally different tactical battle. In the first fight, Joshua expertly broke down Dubois with a consistent and punishing body attack, a strategy that exposed Dubois’s defensive flaws and tested his will. Today, Dubois, having endured that fire, is better prepared for it. Furthermore, he now possesses the tools to return the favor.

Joshua’s style under Davison has emphasized a more disciplined, jab-centric approach, conserving energy for explosive bursts. Dubois, with his renewed pressure and improved footwork, would look to cut off the ring and force Joshua into exchanges. The key for Dubois would be to withstand the early technical prowess of Joshua and drag him into the deep waters where his newfound stamina and power could prevail. For Joshua, the challenge would be to reassert his physical and psychological authority, using his superior experience in mega-fights to disrupt Dubois’s rhythm.

The psychological warfare is another layer. Dubois has conquered the doubt that plagued him after the first fight and his prior loss to Joe Joyce. He now knows he can survive crisis and dominate elite opposition. Joshua, however, possesses the immutable confidence of having beaten the man before. Which mental fortitude proves stronger on the night could be the deciding factor.

Predictions: A Tougher, Closer War Awaits

While it is premature to make a firm prediction, the contours of a potential fight are clear. The first encounter was a systematic breakdown by Joshua. A second fight would be a violent, closely contested war. Dubois’s power is a permanent equalizer; one clean shot can alter any fight. Joshua’s technical precision and big-fight pedigree remain his bedrock.

Most experts would still marginally favor Joshua based on his proven track record at the absolute pinnacle. However, the gap has narrowed dramatically. The prediction here is that a Dubois vs Joshua rematch would be a brutal, back-and-forth affair that goes into the championship rounds. Dubois’s improvements guarantee he would have moments of serious success, likely hurting Joshua at some point. Whether he has the tactical discipline to navigate a full twelve rounds against a thinker like Joshua, and whether he can handle the psychological weight of avenging a stoppage loss, remain the ultimate questions.

Conclusion: The Path to Redemption is Paved with Possibility

Tony Sims’s simple declaration that an AJ rematch is “a possibility” is the spark that ignites the imagination of the boxing world. It is no longer a far-fetched idea but a logical, marketable, and thrilling prospect. Daniel Dubois has forcibly rewritten his story from damaged goods to dangerous threat. Anthony Joshua stands as the enduring benchmark of the division.

This potential rematch transcends belts. It is about legacy, personal vindication, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. For Dubois, it is a chance to complete the most dramatic redemption arc in recent heavyweight history. For Joshua, it is an opportunity to prove that his first victory was no fluke and that he can adapt and conquer the improved version of a former foe. The possibility is now alive. If it becomes a reality, it will be one of the biggest and most compelling fights that British boxing can produce—a night where the echoes of the past meet the thunder of a new dawn.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.