Promoter Frank Warren believes that he knows who will be victorious in the upcoming clash between Joe Joyce and Danny Dubois.
Dubois is the reigning British and Commonwealth champion, and he faces off against 35-year-old Joyce in late November looking to add the European title to his collection. The bout is expected to confirm one fighter as the next serious prospect in the British Heavyweight division, according to the BBC. Greenwich-born Dubois is 12 years younger than his opponent and unbeaten in 15 fights since turning pro. That will go some way to explaining why promoter Warren believes not only will Dubois will get the job done live on BT Sport, but that he would happily put him in front of world heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury.
“Yeah. Yeah, I would,” answered Warren, when asked if he would put either fighter in the ring with the Gipsy King. “What have you got to lose? We’ve got everything to gain. With Daniel, I know he’s got the power, I know he can box – he’s got a great jab – and would I fancy him against Dillian Whyte, or against [Dereck] Chisora? In a heartbeat.”
Not only would he back Dubois against those two, but he thinks he has enough to beat 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joyce.
“He’s got a tough fight. He’s got to get past a really good, undefeated heavyweight and Joe fancied the fight big time. I think Daniel will be the guy.”
Joyce was part of Team GB which excelled in the Rio Olympics, where only French fighter Tony Yoka prevented him from taking gold. Gala Bingo notes how Team GB finished second in the medals table in Rio, with three boxers taking medals. Aside from Joyce, Nicola Adams famously bagged a gold, whilst light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi landed a bronze. Buatsi turned pro after the event, as Joyce did, and he currently holds the WBA International light-heavyweight title, after 13 undefeated fights. As for Joyce, he has held Dubois’ Commonwealth title and will be aiming to push himself into the reckoning as one of Britain’s top heavyweight fighters.
For Dubois, defeat would not be the end of the world, he could shake off a loss at his tender age and still bounce back, but for Joyce, it really is last-chance saloon. Losing at the age of 35 would leave him a lot of work to do to get his career, and world title prospects back on track. He has a huge test on his hands against Dubois, who many expect to follow in the footsteps of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury and become a genuine title contender. Dubois took a different route to the ring than his contemporaries – he chose not to be part of Team GB’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic squad, rather switching to pursue his professional career.
The bout promises to deliver a contrast in experience and career path, but for one successful fighter, it will be a springboard to national recognition and maybe even a world title shot. For the other, an undefeated run will come to an end and with it, possibly their opportunity to face either Fury or Joshua in the next huge all-British clash. If Frank Warren is to be believed, it will be Danny Dubois stepping forward and claiming the chance, with Joyce left wondering what might have been.
