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Anthony Joshua red shorts knocks out Robert Helenius white/blue shorts during their International Heavyweight contest at the O2, London, England on the 12 August 2023. Copyright: xAlanxStanfordx PMI-5697-0012
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1033199630h.jpg)
via Imago
Anthony Joshua red shorts knocks out Robert Helenius white/blue shorts during their International Heavyweight contest at the O2, London, England on the 12 August 2023. Copyright: xAlanxStanfordx PMI-5697-0012
Daniel Dubois proved he is a force to be reckoned with after defeating Filip Hrgovic via a knockout last month in Saudi Arabia. However, can he go toe-to-toe with the likes of Anthony Joshua? Following his win over the Croatian boxer, many speculate a fight against the former unified champion might be on the horizon. So, former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has shared his prediction.
Since his fight against Joe Joyce in November 2020, ‘Dynamite’ Dubois has been criticized for buckling under heavy pressure. The same was proven true when Dubois quit during his fight against the now undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk last year. However, Dubois’ latest win changes everything, yet Bellew sees a grim fate for him against Joshua.
Tony Bellew sees Daniel Dubois going to sleep
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According to IFL TV on X, speaking about the potential heavyweight showdown between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua, Bellew said, “If he (Dubois) fights AJ next, then I am sorry to say it but it ends quickly and brutally”. Dubois is not a bad boxer, then why was Bellew so dismissive about him?
Tony Bellew doesn’t fancy Daniel Dubois’s chances if he fights Anthony Joshua 😬
Do you agree with the former cruiserweight world champ? 🤔#TonyBellew | #AnthonyJoshua | #BoxingNews pic.twitter.com/4VAFC16Qtp
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) June 9, 2024
Well, as per Bellew’s analysis, Dubois took heavy damage during the early rounds in the fight against Hrgovic, which Bellew believes won’t fly in a fight against someone as skilled as Joshua. He added, “You’ll get away with one or two against AJ and then you know what happens? You’ll go to sleep”.
While Dubois pulled off wins against Hrgovic and Jarrell Miller, handing them their first career losses, ‘AJ’ defeated Francis Ngannou and Otto Wallin in his last two outings. So, going only via the quality of their recent opponents, Dubois, believe it or not, has a good chance to give Joshua a tough fight. Meanwhile, Dubois’ promoter has shed more light on the potential bout!
Frank Warren says talks are underway for Dubois vs. Anthony Joshua
Having won the IBF interim heavyweight belt, Dubois has become the top contender for the full version of the title, and a perfect match for Anthony Joshua. At least, that’s what British promoter Frank Warren thinks. While speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast, Warren shared some updates about the fight.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Daniel Dubois celebrates victory after the WBA World Heavyweight Title fight between Daniel Dubois and Kevin Lerena at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 03, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
“Daniel Dubois proved all his doubters wrong and won the IBF ‘interim’ belt. He hopefully will be fighting AJ in the autumn, we’re working on that. He did well…,” Warren said. As for where this potential fight may transpire, Warren revealed the fight could go down at the Wembley Stadium in the United Kingdom.
Daniel Dubois started his career all the way back in 2017 against Marcus Kelly and went sixteen fights undefeated until he met Joe Joyce in the ring. During the fight, Dubois got his left eye socket fractured and had to take a knee, as the fight was declared a knockout win for Joyce.
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He recovered quickly with fights against Bogdan Dinu and Joe Cusumano, but then he encountered Oleksandr Usyk in 2023. Having dropped Usyk via a low blow, the Ukrainian eventually got the better of Dubois in the ninth round of their fight, marking his second defeat.
Undeniably, Anthony Joshua has achieved way more than Daniel Dubois, but counting the latter out before the fight even gets finalized can backfire quickly. Despite that, only when the two boxers enter the ring, Bellew’s prediction will be put to the test. Do you agree with Tony Bellew or do you think Dubois has a chance?