No major challenge for Daniel Dubois as comeback bout is hitch-free

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

The rebuilding of Daniel Dubois started in untroubled fashion on Saturday night. Bogdan Dinu promised war but hit the canvas as soon as the first big shot was fired.

Quite how the World Boxing Association had the Romanian ranked fourth in their heavyweight division is a complete mystery.

Since successive stoppage losses to Jarrell Miller and Kubrat Pulev, Dinu had produced a couple of wins over bang average fighters.

Greenwich’s Dubois, 23, can be forgiven for not seeking a stern examination after suffering his first professional loss in November. But the fact the WBA Interim title was on the line against Dinu makes the governing body seem a bit of a joke.

What the South Londoner has shown time and again is that he has the power to easily and swiftly blow away the lesser lights. Early in the second round he pinged a right hand to the chin and Dinu showed no desire to beat the referee’s count.

Dubois had been ranked 10th by the WBA but should now climb into their top five.

But they have no fewer than three ‘champions’. Anthony Joshua is their ‘super’ champion while American Trevor Bryan holds the world title. Manuel Charr is ‘champion in recess’.

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren claimed the plan is to chase a bout with Bryan, also mooted as an opponent for Brixton’s Dillian Whyte.

Asked if he hoped that Bryan would be mandated to meet Dubois, Warren replied: “Well I hope they do. That’s what we agreed would happen before the fight.

“Now we will push that and see if we can get that over the line.”

Dubois only recently switched trainer to Shane McGuigan, the son of Irish ring legend Barry.

His initial plan had been to work with Mark Tibbs following his split from Martin Bowers.

Tibbs’ father Jimmy had been keeping Dubois ticking over while his son prepared Billy Joe Saunders for his unification clash with Canelo Alvarez. But once he returned from the States, Tibbs junior decided the partnership would not work.

McGuigan is confident he can have the South Londoner – who has only been the distance once – mixing with the leading heavyweights by the middle of 2022.

“It was a fantastic performance,” said McGuigan. “We didn’t have long [working together] but give us six months or a year and you’ll see the rest of it. He’ll be knocking on the doors with the big boys, trust me.

“Technically Dan just needs to improve. He needs to work on Dan Dubois – to be the best he can be from a physical, athletic and boxing standpoint.

“Once we get those fundamentals locked in I believe he can beat all these boys. I’ve never felt power like it on the pads. He just needs to chip away technically and he is going to be an absolute nightmare.

“He has got fantastic legs and has just got to use them a little bit more. Speed comes from the ground up. Sometimes he pours his punches out. The more he uses his feet and his legs, the more speed and power you’re going to see with Daniel Dubois.”

Dubois’ left eye was completely shut when he took a knee against Joyce – effectively indicating he did not want to continue.

And he admitted after dispatching Dinu at Telford International Centre that he had to overcome a couple of mental barriers after more than seven months out of the ring.

“I’m getting back on my feet and I’m ready to take over,” said Dubois.

“There was a bit of nerves and demons going on in my head, but once I got into the flow of things I just let go.

“I dealt with him. I thought that once I hit him, good and proper, he was going to go.”

Tooting-born super-welterweight Bradley Skeete stopped Dale Arrowsmith in Sheffield on Saturday night. It was the 33-year-old former British welterweight champion’s comeback after retiring in 2018 following a second round knockout loss.

Skeete, who unsuccessfully challenged for the European title against Kerman Lejarraga, improved his record to 29-3.

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