Free from a Dark Place, Resurrected Daniel Dubois Ready to Slay the “King” Anthony Joshua in Resurfaced Clip Serves as Reminder for Next Face Off

Overcoming long-standing doubts and suspicions, Daniel Dubois has gradually brought his career back on track. His dominant performances against Jared Miller and Filip Hrgovic left no doubt that he is a force to be reckoned with. The heavyweight division could no longer afford to ignore him. Both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are gradually walking towards the later stages of their careers. So there could never have been a more opportune time for Dubois to make his mark on the big stage.

Five years after he was crowned WBO global heavyweight champion, Dubois will return to the Wembley Stadium as a full champion. He will defend his IBF title from none other than Anthony Joshua. The Olympic gold medalist is also on a path of redemption. Reclaiming his place after the losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Usyk., a win on September 21 would make him a world champion for the third time. Not to forget a chance to face the winner of the upcoming Fury-Usyk rematch. However, from what it appears, Daniel Dubois doesn’t seem inclined to give ‘AJ’ such an opportunity easily.

Overcoming Adversity: Daniel Dubois

The face-off actually took place over two months. Given that fight is just a few weeks away, the video of the meet-up where the two heavyweights nearly came to blows resurfaced. Soon after he checked with Anthony Joshua on what kept on inspiring him to push forward, Ade Oladipo turned to Daniel Dubois. Lauding the way he outboxed Filip Hrgovic, the DAZN presenter congratulated ‘Triple D’ on his elevation as a full champion. He highlighted how a few naysayers had in the past voiced their concerns over his ability to stay put in front of adversities.

Nevertheless, Oladipo stressed how he struggled against the notion. “I completely disagree with; you’ve shown people now in your last two fights you are the real deal; you are coming into your best right,” he said. Dubois responded back, “I was, you know, speaking about before I was in a dark place and I was going through some stuff.” However, ever since, he feels that he has ‘resurrected’ himself from the abyss. The limelight is back on his face. Hence, he feels that he is now ready for what could be the biggest showdown of his seven-year-old career.

Daniel Dubois acknowledged how ‘AJ’ has stayed at the top of the game for a long time. Nevertheless, he stressed that he knew that it was time for the crown to change hands. “He’s been the king for a long time, in fact, but you know what it’s? I feel like it’s my time, and I’m a king Slayer, and I’ve got to do that again,” he said.

Thus, Daniel Dubois knows that he is not going to serve his hard-earned championship to Joshua on a platter.

From Setback to Comeback

He almost had his moment in history when he derailed Oleksandr Usyk on his tracks last year. He lost the bout to the future undisputed champion by a ninth-round knockout. However, his fifth-round punch that dropped Usyk down on the canvas but later declared an illegal blow caused quite a flutter in the boxing world. Many felt that the hit was a legal one. Therefore, it is not difficult to see why the Wembley showdown is so critical to Dubois.

It’s hard to imagine what trajectory the heavyweight division would have taken had Dubois been declared a winner. Nevertheless, instead of dwelling on the past, ‘Triple D’ got back stronger. First, he dislodged Jared Miller in a commanding performance on Anthony Joshua-Otto Wallin‘s ‘Day of Reckoning’. Later, he stopped the much-familiar Filip Hrgovic at the ‘Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5’ card. The win made him an interim IBF champion.

Now on September 21, he has that golden chance to prove that he is the future of heavyweight boxing and that his name belongs in the history books.

What is your take? Do you feel Daniel Dubois will deliver an upset win over Anthony Joshua?