Roughly a year after Oleksandr Usyk foiled his attempt at a unified title, Daniel Dubois found himself a world champion, following a bloodless coup. But thus are the games in the ring. Dubois knew as he took over the IBF belt, he was also signing up for a big-time clash with another champion on his comeback trail. Following his exemplary victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, ‘Triple D’ has silenced enough critics into believing that his claim as the next big thing in heavyweight boxing is legit.

To help him in his quest for glory, Daniel Dubois counts on the support of Don Charles. Ever since they joined hands, the boxer’s fortunes experienced a swift rise. However, the task ahead is not an easy one. On September 21 at Wembley Stadium, Dubois will meet Anthony Joshua for the first title defense. Like Dubois, Joshua too rides on the back of defeats. However, the last eighteen months saw ‘AJ’ gradually getting his mojo back. Against a formidable opponent like Joshua, Dubois and Charles must have developed a game plan. So let’s explore a few details about this trainer who once found himself hitting a downturn before boxing rescued him.

Meet Don Charles, Daniel Dubois’ trainer

62-year-old Don Charles was born in Biafran. In an extensive interview, he revealed that his father worked as a bank manager. A few years after the civil war broke out in the region (1967), Charles, then 12 or 14, and the rest of his immediate family members, including his two younger brothers and two sisters, joined their father in the UK.

The ace trainer often credits ‘The Greatest’ for inspiring a journey into boxing. Incidentally, the date he reached London, October 14, 1974, was the date originally scheduled for the Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman, ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. However, it wasn’t until he turned 19 that Don Charles started training seriously at the Paddington-based All Stars gym.

Subsequently, when he turned 25, he shifted to Brixton ABC to hone his skills, sparring several known names at the time. Though he toyed with the idea of turning professional, the plan nevertheless failed to take over. Out of boxing, he drifted through a couple of professions, such as retail business and running a private security firm.

His break into boxing coaching came through a chance meeting with heavyweight challenger Derek Chisora. The two reportedly met at a petrol station in North London. Following the departure of Chisora’s then-trainer, John Oliver Charles took over the responsibility. Their journey lasted over a decade. It saw ‘Del Boy’ through some big battles, such as the Tyson Fury trilogy and the bouts against David Haye and other heavyweights, such as Carlos Takam and Dillian Whyte.

Now as he sits with Daniel Dubois, Don Charles wants to turn the persistent narrative on his head. He believes Dubois has it in him to inflict a third career loss on Anthony Joshua. Speaking about his charge, Charles said, “First he was being accused of being a quitter, and I hope his recent fights have proved he is from that. We have now proved that we can take a punch; that box is ticked. When we go and beat up Anthony Joshua, what are they going to say next? This gives us fuel and especially Daniel to prove the critics wrong and deliver the win.”

Where did Daniel Dubois start training?

Before he joined Don Charles’ stable, Daniel Dubois worked with Shane McGuigan. Back in the day, before he turned professional, following brief spells at a few rated boxing gyms, it was at brothers Tony and Martin Bowers‘ Peacock Gym where Dubois picked his trade. Light heavyweight challenger Anthony Yarde used to be one of his stablemates at the gym. Like most boxers, Dubois laced up easily in life. Incidentally, he wanted to have a go at Olympic glory, a feat Anthony Joshua accomplished in 2012. However, after much thought, ‘Triple D’ decided to become a professional boxer in 2017.

Though he has been through setbacks in his career, never before has Daniel Dubois appeared so redoubtable. A heavyweight wrestler who is standing at the brink of scripting his own boxing legacy.

Between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua, who is your pick for the win on September 21?