The 35 year-old took every round of ten at the Gymnase du Lycee Technique de Monaco in Monte Carlo to improve his record to 33-3 and erase the memory of his loss to WBC champion Deontay Wilder.
Duhaupas was stopped in eleven rounds by Wilder on his US debut last September but is ready to charge towards another shot at a recognised belt with a promised WBC Silver title chance next.
Mehdi Ameur, the veteran’s manager, had been hopeful of an agreement to face Briton Anthony Joshua on his April 9 date at the O2 Arena, or indeed back in Monaco, although his fighter is not holding his breath for a call from UK promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Johann put on a good performance in the fight against a stubborn opponent,” Ameur told World Boxing News.
“Marcelo has experience and a good punch. We know any heavyweight is dangerous as a fight can be over in a second. Johann fought well and kept to his strategy and we are happy for this victory.
“He can now move on to fight for the WBC silver title,” he added.
Asked if he was expecting any news from Hearn on the Joshua encounter, Ameur answered: “Johann will be very strong in April, but it will be against another fighter and not Joshua that the world will see him face.
“Eddie and I are in contact, but I think they are not interested to face Duhaupas. At the moment, we are looking at other opponents for the headline show in the Principauté of Monaco.”
Joshua has since been linked to fighting undefeated Finn Robert Helenius or American Malik Scott, the latter of which is also being talked about as a possible opponent for David Haye’s second comeback fight.
