Daniel Dubois was not supposed to beat Anthony Joshua
The year 2020 destroyed many a reputation as Covid-19 gripped the planet, but it wasn’t just the political landscape submitting people’s credibility.
Inside an empty Westminster Church House, Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce met in a fascinating battle to crown Britain’s next best heavyweight hope. Dubois lost his unbeaten record that night, but with defeat came countless questions about his commitment to a sport he had dedicated large chunks of his life.
Looking at his corner, seemingly aware what was going on around him, Dubois, after being dropped by a jab in the tenth session, sat out the ten count. His perfect ledger had an almighty stain on it, and it was the type of blotch that would be difficult to wash off.
In boxing, a precedent has been set going back many years that fighters are intended to battle until no fight remains. Numerous acts of bravery have been etched into sporting folklore with numerous boxers absorbing broken jaws, severe lacerations, and dislocated shoulders on their way to victory.
Due to the manner of Dubois’ surrender, he was criticised ferociously by fellow fighters, retired fighters, men who train fighters, and those who promote fighters. Social media was also quick to take aim at the man who had become British champion at the tender age of 21 who’s only loss at that point had been against the 2016 Olympic silver medallist.
Dubois made an unpopular decision almost four years ago, but it would be the best decision he would ever make as he chose to protect his damaged eye and live to fight another day.
Danel Dubois was not supposed to beat Anthony Joshua
Frank Warren knows a thing or two about building a fighter. He’s also got plenty of experience rebuilding boxers. Dubois was about to become one of his biggest ever renovation projects.
(Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
In Bogan Dinu and Joe Cusumano, Dubois got some swagger back as well as his American debut, and his promoter was on course to elevate him into the big league.
The boxing community, often vicious in their appraisals, had given up on Dubois. They’d seen enough in the Joyce disaster to place their bets elsewhere, but Warren was still heavily invested.
The destruction of Trevor Bryan, Don King’s latest hope, brought Dubois a portion of the heavyweight title in 2022. He wasn’t in the upper echelons occupied by Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Oleksandr Usyk, but he was edging closer. Then came Kevin Lerena.
With some useful glory at cruiserweight, Lerena wasn’t intended to be too much of a threat for Dubois when the pair clashed in Dubois’ maiden defence of his WBA belt. The fans inside Tottenham’s modern stadium were in attendance to see Tyson Fury school Derk Chisora, but they almost went home witnessing a huge shock.
Starting slow, Dubois was caught by Lerena early and it bordered on a miracle that he escaped the first round after being dropped three times. The stoppage for the marauding South African appeared to be a formality, but Dubois, still nursing the scars from the Joyce defeat two years earlier, proved he could overcome a crisis as he produced a stunning third round stoppage.
Still, with the Joyce reversal fresh in people’s minds and climbing off the deck three times against a heavyweight newcomer, doubts were still attached to Dubois, and in the eyes of many, he still had to prove himself.
Daniel Dubois was not supposed to beat Anthony Joshua
Onto to Usyk, and in just fight number 21, Dubois, an amateur novice who traded a vested education for a professional one, was ready to become king.
Against the mercurial Ukrainian, Dubois did try, he hit Usyk in an area that divided opinion, but it was a location that the referee stated broke the rules and it allowed Usyk to recover.
Once fully healed, Usyk was Usyk and like many before him, Dubois had no answers to the countless attacks that were coming his way. He was stopped in round nine, it looked eerily similar to the Joyce defeat, and once again, Dubois was a fighter under incredible scrutiny.
Daniel Dubois was not supposed to beat Anthony Joshua
And still Dubois wouldn’t wilt. There may be better heavyweights than the London fighter who declined the opportunity to pursue the Olympic paths trodden by his modern-day rivals to turn professional at 19, but it's difficult to name any who are more resilient.
Very much a novice in an environment of wily veterans, Dubois, and his backers, were very aware they had time on their side.
Happy fighter makes a dangerous fighter
Jarrell Miller, the poster boy for brash New Yorkers, a man whose mouth would make Muhammad Ali and Bernard Hopkins look speechless, was next for Dubois.
From Brooklyn streets that have limitless boundaries when it comes to stealing a march on rivals, Miller wouldn’t hold back if he had the opportunity to exploit Dubois’ well documented weaknesses.
Promising to refresh the shortcomings against Joyce and Usyk, Miller gave it a good go in the fight’s early going, but like against Lerena, Dubois was able to demonstrate that he could overcome initial problems.
With only seconds remaining on the clock, a dominant Dubois, who conditionally, looked outstanding, finished like a sprinter excelling towards the line. The boastful Miller took multiple big shots, and Dubois became the first person to beat the tough and durable American.
With boxing receiving hefty Saudi backing, heavyweights were once again in focus, and Dubois wasn’t about to miss out. The hard fights kept coming, but so did a significant Dubois improvement.
Under Don Charles and Kieran Farrell, Dubois was brimming with confidence and the ‘happy fighter –dangerous fighter’ cliche was more evident than ever.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Filip Hrgovic would be next for Daniel, and the dangerous Croat was expected to bring credentials that would seriously test Dubois’ resolve.
A number of big right hands from Hrgovic found the target of Dubois, but this was a newer version of the British contender, and he wasn’t about to be denied as he became IBF interim champion that would soon be upgraded to full.
But still, Daniel Dubois wasn’t supposed to beat Anthony Joshua.
This past Saturday, in front of the biggest crowd in British boxing history, Daniel Dubois produced a stirring performance that saw him not only beat Joshua, but destroy the man who had been an overwhelming favourite going in.
Redemption for Dubois was one of the best stories ever told in British boxing as he jumped on Joshua from the opening bell before dropping him four times to retain his title.
In the shadow of his most recent rival since turning pro seven years ago, Dubois is no longer a nearly man, and he’s very much a fighter who may have to carry the heavyweight division for Britain in the next few years as Joshua and Fury go through the same restoration process that Dubois knows so well.
Dubois has many lucrative options in front of him with Joshua and Usyk rematches big possibilities, and the main item he should see is a bright future.
When nursing his eye against Joyce all those years ago, Dubois envisioning such a positive environment seemed impossible.
Catching up to Joyce didn’t appear likely in 2020, not only has he overtook his previous nemesis, but he’s also now done the same to Joshua, and in this devastating form, there’s no limit to who else who could be left in the dark.
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