Frank Warren Open to Dubois vs. Jake Paul, but Doubts Paul Will Step Up
Jake Paul’s victory over a faded Mike Tyson has triggered a wave of call-outs from world champion boxers, but perhaps the most unexpected challenge came from IBF heavyweight champion, Daniel Dubois. Now, Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, has weighed in on the possibility of such an unconventional matchup.
Dubois, who was elevated to full IBF champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title following his undisputed victory over Tyson Fury, has quickly made a name for himself with dominant stoppage wins against Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. His rise seemed set to face a significant test when a showdown with former two-time champion Anthony Joshua was agreed upon.
However, Dubois shocked the boxing world by overpowering Joshua at Wembley Stadium. From the opening bell, Dubois dominated the fight, knocking Joshua down four times before scoring a fifth-round stoppage victory. The knockout was a career-defining moment for Dubois, cementing his place at the top of the heavyweight division.
The two were slated to meet again on February 22nd in Riyadh, but Joshua has since confirmed that he will not be ready in time, forcing Dubois to seek an alternative opponent for his second voluntary title defense.
In a surprising twist, Dubois reached out directly to Jake Paul via social media, offering him the chance to fight for the IBF heavyweight crown following Paul’s decision victory over Tyson.
Frank Warren, in an interview with BoxNation, made it clear that while he would support such a fight, he remains skeptical about Jake Paul stepping up to face a hard-hitting champion like Dubois.
"No one can offer any fights on behalf of Daniel except me and Queensberry, that is number one," Warren said. "Number two, would we do that fight? In a heartbeat. Would Jake do it? No, I don’t think so. He is certainly not ready to be fighting a Daniel Dubois!"
Warren’s comments suggest that the Dubois vs. Paul fight may be more of a publicity stunt than a serious proposition, with the 27-year-old champion likely to face a more recognized contender in his next bout.
With Dubois’ next opponent expected to be announced soon, it seems the focus will remain on solidifying his heavyweight reign rather than taking a risk with a high-profile but untested opponent like Jake Paul.
