Daniel Dubois has no problems dispatching Little to win English heavyweight title

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Daniel Dubois is the new English heavyweight champion after a fifth round stoppage of Tom Little at Greenwich’s 02 Arena.

The prospect  – on home turf for his title challenge – moved his record to 8-0 in the pro ranks and was in control from the word go against his opponent from Hatfield.

Little (10-6) was dropped to the canvas by a lovely left hook to the ribs in the fourth round.

And Dubois closed the show 58 seconds into the next round as he let big punches go without any coming back the other way.

It means the South Londoner, who had been part of the GB amateur squad before opting to go into the paid game, has won all his bouts inside the distance.

And Dubois’ performance received the seal of approval from Bermondsey’s two-weight world champion David Haye, who was doing punditry work for BT Sports. He said: “Dubois passed every test with flying colours.

“He put lovely clusters of punches together. His jab is not the fastest but it is heavy and solid. A little bit more head movement would be nice to see.”

Dubois said: “I had prepared to go 10 rounds and was fully prepared to go the distance. But I knew I’d get to him eventually.”

The question is how soon the 20-year-old, still a baby in terms of heavyweight development, is stepped up in class.

There are enticing domestic showdowns against the likes of Joe Joyce and Nathan Gorman.

Dubois said: “I feel ready. But I leave that up to my promoter Frank [Warren] and my manager Martin Bowers, they know best for me.”