The rematch between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua is now uncertain.

This is because the IBF world champion was given permission to face another British opponent in order to defend his championship.

There may not be a rematch between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.

The 27-year-old Dubois destroyed AJ with a spectacular show at Wembley in September. Joshua lost to Dynamite four times before he was brutally knocked out in the fifth round to retain the IBF title.

Originally, a rematch was scheduled for February in Saudi Arabia. That might no longer be possible, though, due to an IBF executives’ decision.

Dubois “can make an optional defense against any ranked fighter before April 22, 2025,” according to IBF President Caryl Peoples. He was questioned about a potential matchup between Dubois and Fabio Wardley before saying that.

After his exciting knockout of Frazer Clarke in the first round this month, 29-year-old Wardley has plunged himself into the fray. He rose to No. 12 in the IBF rankings as a result, trailing only fighters like AJ, Derek Chisora, and Otto Wallin.

And he is desperate for a shot at one of the biggest belts in boxing.

The Suffolk star said: “It needs to be a level of smartness going into this now about how we pick my next opponent, who they are, how they’re ranked, how that fight and that win would set me up going forward.

“Obviously hoping to get some sort of eliminator, world title shot, something along those lines.

“So yeah, it’s going to be a bit more of a strategic one.”

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren also revealed his fighter’s next bout doesn’t have to be against Joshua if the Watford man is not ready.

Warren said: “He is the champion and it’ll be done on his terms.

“Daniel will defend his title in February and if it’s not Joshua then it’ll be against somebody who is ranked in the top five.”

After April 22, the IBF will enforce a mandatory IBF title defence for Dubois – probably against the winner of Martin Bakole and Agit Kabayel – because he is required to put the belt on the line at least every nine months.

However, Dubois could hold on for a unification fight – by taking on the winner of December 21’s Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch to be named undisputed heavyweight world champion.

Dubois stunned AJ to retain his IBF heavyweight world title.

He may face fellow Brit Fabio Wardley early in 2025 instead.