Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker – Who wins IBF World heavyweight title showdown?
IBF World heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21KO) puts his belt on the line against Joseph Parker (35-3, 23KO) at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
Both likeable boxers have been on fine form, with Parker currently on a five-fight win streak with scalps over Zhang and Wilder, and Dubois winning the IBF title after stopping Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic and Jarrell Miller, all within 10 months of each other.
Now the heavyweights are set to lock horns in early 2025 to kick off the New Year boxing schedule in style.
BBN asked their trusted panel of experts who they believe wins and why:
Derek Chisora: “I think Dubois wins cause I don’t think Joseph Parker’s got a strong enough chin. Daniel hits hard. Daniel hits hard. I see that fight, Daniel within five rounds. Five rounds, Daniel wins it.”
Abel Sanchez: “Parker may have landed the perfect opponent, if he has anything left, he should be able to beat Dubois and be crowned new champion, I think Dubois is durable but limited, Parker should be able to win a decision.”
Tim Rickson (BBN Editor): “Both are great guys, I would be happy to see either man win. As a Brit, I will be supporting Dubois, but Parker is well-liked, so I would equally be pleased for him to win.
“They’ve each been on an incredible run. Parker’s scalps over Wilder and Zhang are as impressive as it gets, but then Dubois has KO’d Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, all within 10 months.
“For me, the power, strength and aggression of Dubois will be the deciding factor in this fight. Parker is skilled and mobile, but I don’t think he could go the full distance without being dropped by the Brit with a 95% KO ratio. Dubois is very good at closing off the space to land his thudding attacks, plus his confidence is sky-high right now, as well.
“Dubois to win by stoppage from round five onwards.”
Carl Froch: “Dubois is naturally bigger than Parker and punches harder than him, but Parker is on a couple of decent wins. He beat Zhang and beat Deontay Wilder, they’re good wins and he’s in good form. He’s really getting a second wind in his career.
“If Dubois can beat Joseph Parker after the wipeout job against AJ, he really has established himself as a bona fide world champion, and it’s a fight that will be good.
“You never know, Parker has bags of experience and is boxing and moving well. He’s super fit for 12 rounds and he can punch a bit as well. He’s tough, so that’s a tough fight for both guys but a really intriguing one.
“Parker has the experience and has been in with some of the best fighters out there, he’s got a good resume but he’s not won them all. AJ beat him early in his career. He’s getting a second wind and seems to be performing. The Wilder and Zhang fights I was very impressed with him, but I know Wilder is past his best.
Wayne Alexander: “This is good first defence for Dubious against an active fighter who is on the winning run.
“I think that Daniel’s extra youth and freshness will get him through this fight against Parker, who has been stopped twice already, and he will win on points or a late stoppage.”
Arijan Goricki (Featherweight Contender): “My prediction is that will be close fight. At the end I see Dubois as a winner, he is more fresher and more hungrier fighter.”
Ben Thomas (BBN Writer): “It’s possible to say both Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker are two of the most in-form current heavyweights as we head into 2025.
“Dubois answered any remaining critics with the win against Anthony Joshua but Parker could prove a whole different test to overcome.
“I think Parker will look to outbox Dubois and use the ring to stay out his powerful hooks similar to his game plan for both Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
“It’s a hard fight to call but at this moment I’d go Parker by a tight decision.”
Marshall Kaufman (Kings Boxing): “This is a great heavyweight matchup between two guys that have been on a good run by beating some of the very best in the division.
“I like what both guys bring to the table – Dubois with power and strength, and Parker with experience.
“I think that Parker will have to weather the storm and the aggressive style of Dubois, but I think he will get it done with a solid boxing foundation and Parker will pull off the win over 12 rounds or maybe even a late round stoppage.
“Winner – Parker.”
Tyler Buxton (United Promotions): “If Parker can weather the storm early he could win, but I think Dubois wins by stoppage.”
Jimmy Burchfield Sr. (CES Boxing): “It’s a great fight for boxing. I think Dubois wins by KO in the middle rounds.”
Burim Sylejmani (Fides Sports Promotion): “If I think about the last fight between Dubois and Joshua, then you would have to say that Dubois wins.
“Parker also put up a good fight with Zhang, but I think Dubois wins.”
Sam Condy (BBN Writer): “This is a fight I’ve been hoping to see. Parker is one of my favourite fighters and undoubtedly deserves another shot at a title after a fantastic couple of years.
“However, I think he is in for a tough night against Dubois. Parker will look competitive in the early rounds, but Dubois never seems to slow down. I imagine the fight will take a drastic turn as the fighters cross the halfway point.
“Dubois hits hard, very hard, and Parker isn’t known for his chin. While he could outbox and stay on the outside of an ageing Wilder, Dubois is a different animal.
“It should be a close fight in the early stages. I envision a second-half Dubois stoppage.”
Bogdan Musat (King Promotions): “Dubois vs Parker will be an entertaining fight. We will see a TKO before the 7th round and the fight will be won by the most powerful boxer.
“At this moment Dubois looks like the one to be. But, I will go with Parker on this. He has the fighter spirit that I like more.”
Harrison Baskind (BBN Writer): “I think a lot of Dubois’ performance vs Joshua will be easier to assess after this fight. This is because I felt despite the performance of Dubois, Joshua’s defence was terrible.
“Parker under Andy Lee is a new animal and I back him to do the business here and become a two-time world champion.
“He has shown he can get off the canvas and win vs Zhang, which he may have to do again in this fight.
“Dubois will certainly land, but I just think Parker will be able to take the shots and then outbox him during the rounds.”