DINH DOONG

The world of heavyweight boxing is brimming with talent, and among its rising stars, Daniel Dubois has stood out as one of the most promising. With his devastating power and impressive physique, Dubois has long been touted as the future of British boxing. However, like all fighters, Dubois has his weaknesses, and it took the sharp eye of fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua to highlight one of the key areas where Dubois needed improvement. Since then, Dubois has taken a significant step forward, determined to address his vulnerabilities and solidify his place among the heavyweight elite.

A Rising Star with a Rocky Past

Daniel Dubois burst onto the boxing scene with a string of knockout victories that quickly earned him a reputation as a ferocious puncher. At 6’5″ and with an impressive 80-inch reach, Dubois has the physical attributes that make him a nightmare for his opponents. His early victories were a showcase of his raw power and ability to dismantle anyone who stood in his way. He seemed destined for greatness, with many labeling him as the next big thing in British boxing, following in the footsteps of greats like Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno, and Anthony Joshua.

However, Dubois’ career hit a significant bump in the road when he faced Joe Joyce in November 2020. In what was meant to be a crowning achievement for Dubois, the fight turned out to be a humbling experience. Joyce’s granite chin and relentless jab proved too much for the young fighter. The fight ended in the 10th round when Dubois took a knee after suffering significant damage to his eye, which was later revealed to be a fractured orbital bone.

The loss was a turning point in Dubois’ career. While some criticized him for not continuing the fight, others acknowledged the severity of the injury and praised his courage for stepping into the ring against such a seasoned opponent. Despite the setback, Dubois remained undeterred. He returned to the gym, vowing to learn from the experience and come back stronger. But it was a conversation with Anthony Joshua, the two-time world heavyweight champion, that ultimately shifted Dubois’ approach to his career.

Anthony Joshua’s Insight: Spotting Dubois’ Weakness

Anthony Joshua, one of the most respected figures in heavyweight boxing, has seen it all—from the highs of winning world titles to the lows of suffering defeats. His experience and tactical knowledge are unparalleled, and it was his keen boxing intellect that allowed him to spot a crucial weakness in Dubois’ game. After Dubois’ loss to Joyce, Joshua reportedly reached out to the young heavyweight to offer some advice. Joshua, who had previously sparred with Dubois, noticed a flaw in Dubois’ approach that needed immediate attention: his lack of head movement and defensive strategy.

Joshua pointed out that while Dubois possessed incredible power and athleticism, his reliance on those attributes left him vulnerable. Dubois’ tendency to stand too upright and engage in exchanges without adequate head movement made him an easy target for skilled boxers who could exploit this flaw. In the fight against Joyce, Dubois was repeatedly caught with jabs that ultimately led to his injury and loss.

For Dubois, this feedback from a seasoned champion like Joshua was invaluable. The realization that power alone wouldn’t be enough to dominate the heavyweight division was a sobering but necessary lesson. Dubois knew he needed to evolve as a fighter if he was to fulfill his potential.

A New Step Forward: Addressing the Weaknesses

Determined to address his vulnerabilities, Dubois made significant changes to his training regimen and overall boxing philosophy. One of the first steps he took was to focus on improving his head movement and defensive skills. He enlisted the help of experienced trainers who could help him refine his technique and develop a more well-rounded approach to fighting.

Dubois also worked on his footwork, understanding that movement is crucial not just for avoiding punches but for setting up offensive opportunities. By improving his lateral movement and learning to be more elusive in the ring, Dubois has become a more dynamic and unpredictable fighter. This evolution was on display in his subsequent fights after the loss to Joyce, where Dubois showcased a more disciplined and controlled style of boxing.

Another key aspect of Dubois’ transformation was his mental toughness. The loss to Joyce was not just a physical defeat but also a psychological one. For a fighter as young and promising as Dubois, the pressure to maintain an undefeated record can be immense. The loss shattered the aura of invincibility that surrounded him, but it also gave him the opportunity to rebuild mentally. Dubois has since spoken about how the loss made him hungrier and more focused on improving every aspect of his game.

The Road to Redemption: Impressive Comeback Fights

Since the Joyce fight, Dubois has been on a mission to prove that he has learned from his mistakes and is ready to take the next step in his career. His comeback fights have been nothing short of impressive. In June 2021, Dubois faced Bogdan Dinu for the vacant WBA interim heavyweight title. In what was his first fight since the Joyce defeat, Dubois looked sharp and composed, delivering a brutal knockout in the second round to claim the belt.

Following the Dinu fight, Dubois continued to rack up victories, with each bout showing signs of his growth as a fighter. His ability to mix power with improved technique has made him a more complete fighter, and his defensive adjustments have helped him avoid the kind of punishment that led to his loss against Joyce. Dubois is now more calculated in his approach, using his jab more effectively and keeping his opponents at bay with well-timed counters.

The Future: A Potential Showdown with Joshua?

With his weaknesses addressed and his confidence restored, Dubois is now looking ahead to bigger challenges in the heavyweight division. As one of the rising stars, he is eager to prove that he belongs among the elite. While he still has some way to go before he can challenge for a world title, there is already speculation about a potential future showdown with Anthony Joshua.

Joshua, who has played a mentor-like role to Dubois by offering him advice, may one day find himself standing across the ring from the young contender. A fight between Joshua and Dubois would undoubtedly be one of the biggest all-British heavyweight showdowns in recent memory. For Dubois, facing Joshua would be the ultimate test of how far he has come since his loss to Joyce and how much he has learned from the advice Joshua once gave him.

Conclusion: The Journey of Growth

Daniel Dubois’ journey from a devastating loss to Joe Joyce to his resurgence as a more complete fighter is a testament to his resilience and determination. The feedback he received from Anthony Joshua, pointing out his defensive weaknesses, has been instrumental in his evolution. Dubois has taken that advice to heart and worked diligently to improve his head movement, footwork, and overall defensive strategy.

As Dubois continues to climb the heavyweight ranks, he remains one of the most exciting prospects in the division. With each fight, he takes another step toward realizing his potential as a future world champion. The road to the top is never easy, but Dubois’ willingness to learn from his mistakes and address his weaknesses suggests that he is well on his way to achieving greatness in the sport of boxing.