Heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois is ready to fight for a world title without spectators if necessary and is preparing to knock Joe Joyce out.
The 23-year-old fighter is due to fight Joyce on November 28, in a bout that has already been postponed three times due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However Joyce has his sights set on a world title, and with no end to pandemic restrictions in the medium term, Dubois said he would be willing to fight behind closed doors: “If the situation doesn’t improve and it doesn’t look likely there’ll be crowds there I’d definitely take it. After this fight, if that’s the next option then we’ll definitely take it.”
Dubois is ranked number two by the WBO, with Oleksandr Usyk currently Anthony Joshua’s mandatory challenger. However, should Joshua vacate the title then Dubois could be in line to take on Usyk for the belt.
Dubois has yet to win a full heavyweight belt, though holds the British and Commonwealth titles, and would unsurprisingly be keen for a shot at Usyk.
“I’d definitely take that on,” he said.
“It’s another big challenge and another big exciting fight. He’s a talented boxer with a good boxing brain and good all-around movement.”
Usyk is growing into the heavyweight division from the cruiserweight class and recently beat Dereck Chisora in an impressive performance. Dubois, though, believes he has what it takes to emerge victorious should they meet.
He said: “My athleticism, my speed, my youth and my power. All that put together.”
For now, the focus is on his 35-year-old opponent Joyce, who previously held the Commonwealth belt.
“Whatever he does I’ve got an answer for it. If he tries to move in and fight me that’ll be better for me, that’s what I want, but if he tries to box I can do that too. I’m not worried about what he’ll try and do,” claimed Dubois.
He was clear about his intentions for Joyce: “A knockout. A devastating finish.”