The highly anticipated rematch between IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is shaping up, with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, announcing February as a tentative date.

Alalshikh made this revelation following the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol press conference on Saturday night. He mentioned that a significant fight card is in the works, featuring rival promoters Queensberry and Matchroom in a “5 vs. 5” format.

“See in February again Queensberry against Matchroom, 5 vs. 5, we will finish it maybe this week with a big surprise, and then let’s see the result about this fight, the result of the big fight on December 21. Joshua, Dubois, Tyson, Usyk, everyone, everyone on the line. This is what we want. We want the big fights and to see who’s really the best fighter in each division,” Alalshikh stated.

Last month, Joshua’s attempt to reclaim his title and become a three-time world champion took an unexpected turn, as Dubois dropped him multiple times at Wembley Stadium before landing a decisive right-hand punch in Round 5, leaving Joshua on the canvas for the fourth time in his career.

In response to the discussions about his future, Joshua affirmed his commitment to continue boxing. His promoter confirmed that the rematch will take place in the Middle East as part of the Riyadh Season, a festival celebrating sports and entertainment from October to early March.

Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, expressed optimism about the rematch. He remarked, “It’s all about styles, but also with AJ, you’ve got to put him on the back foot, and that’s what he did. That first jab he threw snapped his head back, setting the fight’s pattern. I think it was the fourth round; he caught Daniel with an uppercut; that was his most significant punch. But you want AJ to trade with you because if he trades, he’s vulnerable. Once he throws that punch, you can catch him on the counter, and that’s what he did.”

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, previously noted that if the rematch happens, it would be part of the Riyadh Season, which runs from October through early March.