Wilson questions if Dibb really wants Brisbane rematch
Liam Wilson doubts whether Youssef Dib really wants a rematch and has challenged the rival to prove him wrong in a Brisbane clash he hopes will propel him to another world-title shot.
Super-featherweight Wilson (14-3) rocked Dibb (21-2) with a ninth-round knockout in an otherwise even contest when they met last July in Wollongong.
They'll duel on Wilson's home turf at the South Bank Piazza on March 1, the Queenslander adamant he is only "one or two" good performances away from a third world-title shot.
"They asked for a rematch a day or two after he got knocked out," Wilson said on Wednesday.
"Was he still concussed then?
"Who asked for it? He and his team should know this is dangerous for them.
"I don't know whether him, in himself, wants to fight. We'll see; prove me wrong, on March 1."
The 28-year-old was moments away from a monumental world title upset win in Phoenix in 2023 when he floored three-division champion Emanuel Navarrete.
Navarrete manufactured a 27-second break from what should have been a 10-second count, regained his composure before stopping the Australian in the ninth round.
Wilson then returned to the same venue last year and earned high praise from conqueror Oscar Valdez in another brave, high-quality world-title fight loss.
He is still ranked fourth by the WBO and eighth in the IBF standings and has reassessed his style as he hunts longevity in the sport.
"I'm not far away from that shot again," he said.
"I'm a brand new me; new mindset, approach to boxing.
"I have a bad tendency to come into fights with a 'death match' sort of style.
"Lock them, stock them and see who's standing in the end.
"I want to show I'm far more superior with my boxing ability."
Promoter George Rose, who also manages Tszyu brothers Nikita and Tim, said announcements for their next fights were "very close".
Paris Olympian Shannan Davey will make his professional debut on the card while Jack Bowen, Kirra Rushton, Floyd Masson and Cooper O'Connell, the son of boxing veteran Shannon, will also feature.
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