When Daniel Dubois stunned the boxing world with his TKO win over Filip Hrgović and claimed the IBF interim heavyweight title, the celebrations were fierce, the gloves were off, and the cameras flashed with joy. But amid all the adrenaline and accolades, a tongue-in-cheek warning has gone viral among boxing fans—and it’s aimed directly at Dubois:

“Make sure to disinfect, vaccinate, and polish the belt before returning it!”

Yes, you read that right.

While the line may have the internet chuckling, it’s also stirring conversations about Dubois’ short-term reign, the rotating door of titleholders, and how the prestigious red strap has become something of a “traveling trophy” in recent years.

The Joke That Went Viral

The humorous jab first surfaced on social media from a British boxing meme account, where one user posted:

“Dear Dubois, congrats on the win. Just one polite request before Usyk wants it back:
 Disinfect the belt
 Vaccinate it (it’s been around)
 Polish it till it shines
That IBF title’s been through more hands than a pub pint.”

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Boxing fans, always quick to pick up a clever punchline, ran with it. The phrase started trending in UK boxing circles, becoming the go-to meme of the week.

And let’s be honest—there’s a grain of truth behind the humor.

The Belt’s Recent Rollercoaster Ride

The IBF heavyweight title, once held by undisputed legends like Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua, has recently become a symbol of boxing’s chaotic sanctioning politics.

After Oleksandr Usyk unified all four major titles, his victory over Tyson Fury in May 2024 was expected to usher in a new era of undisputed clarity. But almost immediately after becoming the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in decades, Usyk was ordered by the IBF to defend against their mandatory challenger—Filip Hrgović.

Usyk, understandably focused on a lucrative rematch with Fury, was forced to vacate the IBF belt or risk being stripped. Enter Daniel Dubois vs. Hrgović for the “interim” version of the title.

Now that Dubois has the interim belt, and with Usyk-Fury 2 around the corner, speculation is rampant that Dubois could be “champion for a minute” before being asked to surrender the full title.

Hence the joke: “Don’t get too cozy, and don’t forget to clean it before handing it over!”

Dubois’ Redemption—and Real Potential

While the memes are flying, it’s important to recognize what Daniel Dubois actually accomplished. After a devastating loss to Joe Joyce in 2020 and a questionable stoppage loss to Usyk in 2023, many wrote him off as a “big hitter with no chin.”

But against Hrgović, Dubois showed grit, heart, and surprising maturity. Despite being the underdog, he weathered early pressure, stayed composed, and broke down Hrgović with a relentless assault that forced a ninth-round TKO.

This was not a lucky punch—it was a career-defining performance.

So while fans are poking fun at the idea of him needing to sanitize the belt before passing it back to a “real champion,” Dubois has earned his moment in the sun.

“They said I couldn’t do it. They said I didn’t belong,” Dubois said in the post-fight interview. “Well, I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Will Dubois Hold On to the Title?

That’s the million-dollar question. The IBF may elevate Dubois to full champion status if Usyk retains all other belts and doesn’t fight a mandatory soon. Alternatively, a clash between Dubois and the eventual winner of Usyk-Fury 2 could be ordered.

There’s also talk of Dubois vs. Anthony Joshua, a blockbuster all-British clash that would sell out Wembley in minutes.

Regardless of what happens, Dubois is now in the driver’s seat—and his stock is at an all-time high.

But that doesn’t mean the internet will stop cracking jokes.

Fans Can’t Help Themselves

Here are some of the funniest fan reactions circulating online:

“Dubois treating the IBF belt like an Airbnb guest—just remember to clean up before checkout.”

“Put some gloves on when touching that belt, Dan. It’s had more owners than a championship racehorse.”

“Imagine being a heavyweight belt in 2024… hope you’ve had your tetanus shot.”

Even celebrities joined in. British comedian Mo Gilligan tweeted:

“If Dubois wins another belt, they’ll have to give him a cleaning kit with it.”

Boxing and Humor: A Winning Combo

Boxing is a sport known for intensity, rivalries, and sometimes unbearable egos. That’s why moments of levity like this resonate with fans. Humor reminds us that behind the knockout blows and political drama, boxing is still entertainment, and fans love a good laugh just as much as a good left hook.

Even Dubois, known for being quiet and reserved, reportedly laughed when shown the viral memes.

According to a source from his camp:

“Dan saw it and chuckled. He knows the belt’s legacy, and he’s proud to be a part of it—even if people think he’s just keeping it warm.”

Final Thoughts: Belt Jokes Aside, Dubois Has Arrived

Whether or not Daniel Dubois gets to keep the IBF title long-term, he has proved doubters wrong and put his name firmly back in the conversation among elite heavyweights.

So yes, the belt may need a little polish, and maybe even a vaccination for all the chaos it’s endured. But for now, it belongs to Dubois—and that’s no joke.