Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce will risk their mouth-watering October showdown by returning to action in behind-closed-doors events at the BT Sport studios this summer

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British heavyweights Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce will both risk jeopardising their mouth-watering showdown this autumn by returning to the ring behind closed doors over the summer.

Their interim bouts were revealed on Thursday as promoter Frank Warren outlined the next instalment of boxing’s return from coronavirus.

Dubois and Joyce, both unbeaten and chasing world title shots, are slated to face-off on October 24 in one of the most intriguing all-British fights of recent times.

Joe Joyce (pictured) will return to action later this summer in a behind-closed-doors fight

Daniel Dubois will also compete later in the summer in an event at the BT Sport studios

Both fighters will risk their huge showdown in October to compete on Frank Warren's cards

Before that fight, originally due for April, the heavyweights will need to come through another test in the BT Sport Studios.

Rising star Dubois will headline the last of five summer shows, when he takes on Erik Pfeifer on Saturday, August 29.

Pfeifer is a two-time Olympian who lost to Anthony Joshua in the amateurs. In the paid ranks, however, the 33-year-old has won all seven of his fights.

Joyce, meanwhile, will fight German Michael Wallisch in a 10-rounder on July 25.

‘Daniel and Joe returning is obviously huge, headline news and scheduling these fights reflect our growing confidence that Daniel and Joe will be able to finally square off on October 24,’ Warren said.

 Both are unbeaten and chasing world title shots but they will risk their records this summer

‘I spoke to both teams and they both said that as it looks like we’re going to finally do this in October, they’d like tune-up fights first. Thankfully, BT liked the idea and here we are. 

‘Daniel hasn’t boxed since December and Joe will have been out for an over year. These fights will sharpen them up and I’m sure they will deliver knockout performances that will get fans even more excited for October. For Erik and Michael it’s a chance to cause huge upsets.’

Lyndon Arthur, Archie Sharp, Dennis McCann, Sunny Edwards are among the other fighters to return to the ring this summer.

‘This run of shows is a fantastic opportunity for all these talents to step up and make a mark,’ Warren added. ‘The eyes of the world are on boxing as it comes out of lockdown and my challenge to all of these is to take this huge opportunity.’