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Daniel Dubois has told talkSPORT that he is relishing his next heavyweight world title defence.

The British IBF champion made a successful first retention when he KO'd Anthony Joshua and will now stake his crown against Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh.

Dubois is the IBF heavyweight world champion
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Dubois is the IBF heavyweight world championCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

The bout will be part of a stunning Saudi-backed show which some fans are calling the 'greatest boxing card ever' on social media.

It will be headlined by the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch and also feature three additional world title fights, plus three bouts for 'interim' belts.

O🌃ne of those world title figꦺhts, the chief supporting contest, is Dubois vs Parker.

"I'm really excited and ready to go," Dubois told talkSPORT's White and Jordan on Tuesday, "I'm glad I've got an opponent now.

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"I'm just ready to seek and destroy, to go to work again.

"It's been talked about for a while, so I'm finally glad to get it on and get in the ring and show the people that I'm the real deal."

Explaining what he needs to do to beat Parker, Dubois listed four specific factors h🍎e believes will🍃 be key.

"I think I've got to just go right through him and be better at everything, better in every department," he continued.

"Speed, youth, energy, power, everything - I've got to bring it.

"He's an experienced veteran of the game, so I've got to just essentially just break him down and finish him off."

Parker is on a great run of form having beaten Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang
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Parker is on a great run of form having beaten Deontay Wil﷽d🅘er and Zhilei ZhangCredit: GETTY

Dubois was initially expecting to rematch AJ next, however Joshua's team have said he is recovering from minor injuries suffered in their first fight and so will not be ready for a February 22 date.

"To me, as a fighter, I would have liked to get it on and get a final conclusion to that," Dubois admitted, "But I'm just really happy to be out again and defend this belt.

"I'm sure that might happen down the line, who knows? So yeah, I'm just ready to go."

Regarding whether he's still just as motivated now he's an established champion rather than a challenger, Dubois insisted that hunger remains.

"Sure, certainly. I'm more motivated now," he replied.

"Now that I'm the champion and all of that, I feel like I'm just stepping up a level and getting better in every way. Every day, I'm getting better."

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Boxing promoter Frank Warren thrilled as ‘greate✨st boxing card ever’ is confirmed featuring Daniel Dubois and Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitr🌌y Bivol rematch
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