Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Daniel Dubois at risk of collapse as Eddie Hearn reveals ‘concern’ over planned date

ANTHONY JOSHUA’S rematch with Daniel Dubois is at the risk of collapse as Eddie Hearn revealed a “concern” over the planned date.

AJ was dropped FOUR times on the way to a brutal fifth-round knockout defeat at Wembley in September.

GettyDaniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua’s rematch faces collapse[/caption]

And he was expected to rematch Dubois in a bid for revenge – already eyed for February in Saudi Arabia.

But his promoter Hearn revealed the quick five month turnaround looks to be too close – leaving the rematch facing the KO.

Hearn told Sky Sports: “Our concern at the moment is just timing.

“You’ve got a few little niggles, you get them looked at and then you can’t punch again for four, five weeks.

“If we’re going to fight him in February, we need to start camp in about three weeks’ time. It’s quite a fast turnaround.”

Hearn revealed May is their target date to return with Joshua’s heart set on a rematch with Dubois.

He said: “Ideally we’d like to return around May time. It does feel as though it’s coming on quite quickly.

“From a body perspective we could probably do with a little bit more time ideally. Sometimes it’s not ideal and you just go for it.

“But we just need to decide are we going to be ready. [Joshua] has told me categorically: ‘I want the rematch.’

“But it’s just a case of whether he’s going to be ready for February and that’s something they’re going to have to decide.

“It’s not ruled out. But we do appreciate it’s a fast turnaround.”

Tyson Fury, 36, rematches Oleksandr Usyk, 37, on December 21 following his loss in their May undisputed title decider.

But Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF belt to proceed with the return as Dubois inherited the belt after being elevated from interim champ.

And Hearn has also not ruled out Joshua waiting to fight Fury next opposed to Dubois.

He said to BBC Sport: “It would be frustrating if we made the Dubois rematch and Fury won.

“Then we’re sitting there going ‘hang on a minute, we’re fighting Dubois but we could have fought Fury in May for the biggest fight in boxing.’

“Win or lose, we can fight Fury next summer. But if he wins, AJ fights him for the world title.”

GettyOleksandr Usyk facing off with Tyson Fury[/caption]