Daniel Dubois’ team name favoured opponent as he prepares for 2026 return

Daniel Dubois is set to make his ring return in 2026

Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KO's) failed at the second time of asking when he succumbed to a fifth-round stoppage at the hands of heavyweight great Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KO's) in July. 

The former IBF world champion was making his maiden title defence following a ferocious victory over former heavyweight king Anthony Joshua in 2024.

However, it wasn’t to be for the Briton, despite a valiant effort, Usyk proved to slick, too slippery and too technical for the 28-year-old. 

Dubois has now faced three professional losses, two at the hands of Usyk, and will be looking to bounce back to world title contention once again. 

Speaking to iFL TV, Dubois’ manager Sam Jones revealed that he is aiming to return to action within the first half of 2026. 

“April, latest May,” Jones revealed.

Talking about prospective opponents, Jones seems set on Fabio Wardley being the best man for Dubois to step in against. 

However, he did reveal that he is open to other avenues should a wardley showdown not materialise. 

“Fabio Wardley is the champion, so it would be a voluntary defence. But outside of AJ, Tyson Fury, Usyk – Dubois is the biggest name for Fabio Wardley to fight, which would therefore generate the most money.

“If Fabio Wardley gets the Usyk fight then all credit to him, he deserves that opportunity. But … if he wants to make that fight, we can make it very, very quickly.”

With Usyk apparently edging closer to a deal to fight the hard-hitting Deontay Wilder, Wardley will be made to wait for a shot at the pound-for-pound king. 

With Dubois currently ranked at number four by the WBO, a matchup is looking extremely plausible, with an all british-clash sure to bring in some mouth-watering pay-per-view figures.