SIX TITLE FIGHTS HIGHLIGHT DON KING FIGHT CARD SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE CASINO MIAMI JAI-ALAI; WBA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION TREVOR BRYAN PUTS HIS BELT ON LINE AGAINST DANIEL DUBOIS
MIAMI, FL (June 6, 2022)—The world’s greatest boxing promoter, Don King, has put together another spectacular boxing card featuring six title fights topped by the WBA Heavyweight Championship featuring champion Trevor Bryan and the number on challenger Daniel DuBois on Saturday night at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai.
The card titled “The Fight for Freedom and Peace”, will begin at 4 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.) and the main event featuring Ft. Lauderdale’s Bryan (22-0, 15 KOs) and London’s DuBois (17-1, 16 KOs) will be at 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the WBA Heavyweight Championship, the NABA Gold Heavyweight championship will be held as champion DaCarree Scott (7-0, 6 KOs) from Decatur, GA will defend his belt against Jonathan Guidry (17-1-2, 5 KOs) from Dulac, LA. Guidry, who recently lost to Bryan in a title fight, has dedicated this fight to his fight manager and promoter Les Bonano, who passed away a week ago at the age of 79. Promoter King, who has worked with Bonano for many years, said Bonano will be honored with a 10-bell count on Saturday.
The other four title fights on the card will feature the NABA Cruiserweight title between champion Johnnie Langston (10-3, 4 KOs) of Sarasota, FL and challenger Isaiah Thompson (6-1-1, 5 KOs) from Plantation, FL; the NABA Welterweight championship featuring Tre-Sean Wiggins (13-5-3, 7 KOs) defending his title against Travis Castellon (17-4-1, 12KOs) from Ft. Lauderdale, FL; the NABA Light Heavyweight title will be decided between Ahmed Elbialo (21-1, 18 KOs) from Miami via Egypt and Dervin Colina (16-1, 14 KOs) of Miami via Venezuela; and the WBA Continental Americas Middleweight title featuring Anthony Lenk (17-8, 7 KOs) from Niagara Falls, NY and Ian Green (15-2, 11 KOs) from Haledon, NJ.
The fight card also will feature two special attractions—a six-round super light-weight bout with up-and-coming Cuban sensation Raynel Mederos (6-0, 1 KO), how residing in Miami, going up against Ryan Wilson (1-0, 1 KO) from Charlotte, SC. The other special attraction is a super middleweight six-rounder featuring Luis Rodriguez (8-0, 8 KOs) from Toa Alta, Puerto Rico meeting Ryan Adams (8-5-1, 6 KOs) from St. Louis, MO.
BRYAN POSTS DUBOIS WARNING
WBA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION Trevor Bryan has labelled his forthcoming opponent Daniel Dubois as a quitter who will be out of his depth when he challenges for the title on June 11 over in Florida.
The unbeaten Bryan, however, does acknowledge the threat posed by the young knockout artist Dubois and admits it presents a significant threat to his 22-fight professional winning streak.
“I fight like every fight is my last fight,” the New Yorker told Dev Sahni on the Unibet Lowdown. “I am gonna give my heart, my soul and every inch, every bit of strength I have in this coming up fight on June 11 because, even with the heavyweights, this career doesn’t last long. Every opportunity I do get with names like Daniel Dubois and fighters after this, you want to fight your hardest and show everybody you have the heart and show everybody your skills are going to carry you along.
“So yeah, I am treating this like it is my last fight,” added the 32-year-old, before making reference to Dubois’ sole professional setback against Joe Joyce at the end of 2020.
“Daniel Dubois is a strong fighter, he has fought some good guys, but I am on a different level. You saw that when he came up against some good opposition, he quit, gave up.
“You don’t quit, you don’t give up. I would rather go out on my shield. He is an okay guy but he is going in against a nightmare, I will be a nightmare for him and not the fight that he wants. Maybe he should have went back and tried to reverse the loss he had against Joe Joyce before he came to the champion.
“Now that he’s said he wants the champion, he begged for this fight and now he has it. He has it and now he has to pay for it. I’m not the type of fighter where you can step in the ring and think you can walk all over me. I am not heavyweight champ for no reason and on June 11 I’m gonna show everybody that I am a name that you are supposed to respect.
“I am that man who is going to be sticking around for a long time in this sport. I am taking over, so on June 11 you guys are going to see what Trevor Bryan, The Dream, is all about.”
Trevor Bryan v Daniel Dubois on June 11 for the WBA heavyweight championship will be shown live on BT Sport immediately after the Queensberry show from Telford earlier in the evening.
DUBOIS READY TO MAKE BRYAN PAY FOR DELAY
DANIEL DUBOIS IS ready to exert punishment on Trevor Bryan for keeping him waiting for his world title shot.
Dubois goes in with the American champion on June 11 with the WBA world heavyweight championship at stake, fighting for the ultimate right to take on the super champion, which is currently Oleksandr Usyk.
The 24-year-old Dubois has been out of action since August of last year when he fought Joe Cusumano in Cleveland that resulted in a first round stoppage. A vaccination issue prevented him returning to the States to fight again in December and, since this time, taking another fight would have jeopardised his mandatory rights with the WBA.
Bryan was also granted a voluntary defence of his title against Jonathan Guidry in January, which delayed the ambitions of the 17-1 Londoner and left him hard at work in the gym.
“It is about time and I have been waiting patiently for a while,” said the former WBA Interim champion, a belt he won by defeating Bogdan Dinu in June last year. “It has been frustrating so I am glad to get it on, finally.
“I will definitely take it out on him with controlled aggression, that’s what works. I want to go in there to put on a boxing display and make a statement. I have been training pretty much non-stop, I have been in the gym and the other guys have been having fights and I have just been working away, but now it is on and I can’t wait to go out there and show what I am about.”
Dubois insists he carries a much wiser head on his shoulders these days and is an improved version of himself since his only setback against home rival Joe Joyce in 2020. His sparring partner for that fight, unbeaten American heavy Jeremiah Milton, is back in London again and has detected a difference during their sessions of friendly fire.
“Of course, I am getting older and age brings maturity and experience,” reasoned Dubois, who turned professional at the age of 19. “I’ve just got to learn from my mistakes. I’ve got all the experience needed to succeed now and it is up to me to apply it, be myself and go out there and just devastate him.
“We’ve been working on a few key things we’re going to use in the fight and it is all a work in progress. We’ve got a gameplan in mind but it is just about feeling it, really feeling it and I’m gonna get in there and make sure I’m on it this time.”
Working away from home, Dubois adds, is something that excites him, as does fighting on a show promoted by the 90-year-old Don King. Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson are numbered amongst the heavyweight kings promoted by King.
“No pressure, it is in Miami and that is the place to be. I can’t wait to get out there and put on a show. I am not at all fazed by being the away or home fighter, I am just going to take this opportunity with both hands.
“Those names get you buzzing, you hear them and think ‘this guy is ancient and a legend of the game’. Now we are doing business with him, it’s amazing. It is the way this world works.”
Trevor Bryan v Daniel Dubois on June 11 for the WBA heavyweight championship will be shown live on BT Sport.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR TITLE NIGHT AT THE CASINO MIAMI JAI-ALAI ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11; TITLE FIGHTS HEADLINED BY WBA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE AS TREVOR BRYAN MEETS DANIEL DUBOIS
MIAMI, FL (May 17, 2022)—It’s title night at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai on Saturday, June 11 as the world’s greatest boxing promoter, Don King, stages a night of title fights on the card titled “The Fight for Freedom and Peace”. Tickets are on sale for $100, $75 and $50 and can be purchased online at https://playcasinomiami.com. The card will also be presented on Pay-Per-View.
The main event of the evening will feature the WBA Heavyweight Championship pitting defending champion Trevor Bryan (22-0, 15 KOs) going up against the number one contender Daniel DuBois (17-1, 16 KOs) from Greenwich, London.
Promoter King is working away at making an additional title fight or two for the card in his mission to bring an exciting night of boxing in Miami.
The other title fights are the NABA Gold Heavyweight title fight featuring champion DaCarree Scott (7-0, 6 KOs) of Decatur, GA defending his title against Louisiana slugger in Jonathan Guidry (17-1-2, 5 KOs) from Dulac, LA. Guidry’s lone blemish came at the hands of Bryan. Florida’s NABA Cruiserweight Champion Johnnie Langston (10-3, 4 Kos) of Sarasota, FL will defend his title against Plantation, Florida’s Isaiah Thompson (6-1-1, 5 KOs).
Tre’Sean Wiggins (13-5-3, 7 KOs), of Newburgh, NY will defend his NABA Welterweight championship against Ft. Lauderdale, Florida’s Travis Castellon (17-4-1, 12 KOs).
PROMOTER DON KING SENDS OPEN LETTER TO FELLOW PROMOTER FRANK WARREN
I love Frank Warren… Frank is a great promoter, but more importantly, Frank, like me, BELIEVES THAT OUR WORD AND INTEGRITY IS OUR BOND. THAT OUR WORD AND INTEGRITY ARE MORE IMPORTANT (TO OUR MANHOOD) THAN A CONTRACT. That is why, Frank safely took the liberty of PRE-ANNOUNCING BT SPORTS TV’S BROADCASTING OF THE WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE FIGHT, TREVOR BRYAN VS DANIEL DUBOIS WITHOUT A SIGNED CONTRACT, WITHOUT FEAR OR APPREHENSION.
I am deeply honored and very proud to have worked together with Frank over the years, and to have worked together on some of the great promotions… HISTORY MAKING PROMOTIONS. Then, to be his friend who have helped him, with love, tolerance, and veracity. And then, watched him to grow and develop into A GREAT PROMOTER OF THE PEOPLE, WHO KEEPS HIS WORD.
DON KING
JUNE 11 DOUBLE LIVE ON BT SPORT
DANIEL DUBOIS WILL challenge Trevor Bryan for the WBA regular world title on June 11 in Miami and you can catch the heavyweight action, along with a British title double-header from Telford on the same night, all on BT Sport.
WBA No.1 ranked Dubois (17-1, 16 KOs) heads Stateside for his breakthrough fight against the unbeaten New Yorker Bryan (22-0, 15 KOs), with the pair set to fight for the right to be made mandatory to the full WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk, depending on the outcome of his forthcoming rematch against Anthony Joshua.
Bryan, 32, won his belt via an 11th round stoppage of Bermane Stiverne and has navigated a single defence against Jonathan Guidry, last time out in January, with success coming via a split decision on the cards.
Dubois, just 24, will be having his second fight across the Atlantic after introducing himself to the American market with a typical first round stoppage of Joe Cusumano last August. He previously won the WBA Interim belt with a second round demolition of Bogdan Dinu in Telford.
“I am thrilled that Daniel is getting his big opportunity to fight for a world championship belt,” said his promoter Frank Warren. “He has had to bide his time and be a little bit patient because there was always the risk of him being bypassed if he took another fight in the interim.
“Now his time has come and winning this fight will open all sorts of doors. A new generation of top heavyweights are closing in on the current kings of the division and Daniel, along with Joe Joyce, is leading the charge.
“Bryan isn’t a household name but there can be no room for complacency. He is unbeaten with a more than respectable knockout ratio, so Daniel will need to be on his guard and on his game in Miami.
“I am also delighted that BT Sport viewers will be served up with a double-helping of boxing action on the night, with our British title battles from the Telford International Arena leading into Daniel’s heavyweight title challenge.”
In Telford, Liam Davies (11-0, 5 KOs) will challenge new champion Marc Leach (18-1-1, 4 KOs) for the British super bantamweight title in his hometown.
In the other half of the British title double, Birmingham’s Ijaz Ahmed (10-2-1, 1 KO) and London’s Kaisy Khademi (8-1-1, 2 KOs) will go at it for a third time with the vacant super flyweight belt at stake and a final eliminator for a shot at the Commonwealth championship.
And in a fight where two prospects put it all on the line, the unbeaten super lightweight Eithan James (8-0) from Northampton goes up against Connor Parker (13-1, 1 KO), Zach Parker’s cousin from Woodville in Derbyshire, in an eliminator for the English title.
Tickets for the show at Telford International Centre on Saturday, 11 June are on sale now, available from Ticketmaster.co.uk.
WORLD’S GREATEST BOXING PROMOTER DON KING PUTS TOGETHER ANOTHER SPECTACULAR CARD WITH FIVE TITLE FIGHTS HEADLINED BY BRYAN VS. DUBOIS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11TH AT THE CASINO MIAMI JAI-ALAI
MIAMI, FL (May 5, 2022)—When the World’s Greatest Boxing Promoter Don King puts together a fight night card, he’s all about staging a night filled with title bouts.
King has got another night of action as the legendary promoter has put together five title fights headlined by the WBA Heavyweight Championship pitting defending champion Trevor Bryan (22-0, 15 KOs) going up against the number one contender Daniel DuBois (17-1, 16 KOs) from Greenwich, London.
The action-packed evening is set for Saturday, June 11th at the Casino Miami Jai-Alai in Miami, FL in the night the promoter is billing “The Fight for Freedom and Peace”. The fight card will be on Pay-Per-View and an announcement on ticket availability will be made soon.
Bryan recently moved his training camp from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Las Vegas, NV and had a recent visitor in former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, who worked with the present WBA champ on his jab.
The 32-year-old Bryan will be going up against the younger DuBois, at 24-years of age.
In addition to the main event, the NABA Gold Heavyweight title fight will feature champion DaCarree Scott (7-0, 6 KOs) of Decatur, GA defending his title against another Georgia slugger in Jonathan Guidry (17-1-2, 5 KOs) from Dulac, GA. Guidry’s lone blemish came at the hands of Bryan.
Florida’s NABA Cruiserweight Champion Johnnie Langston (10-3, 4 Kos) of Sarasota, FL will defend his title against Plantation, Florida’s Isaiah Thompson (6-1-1, 5 KOs).
Tre’Sean Wiggins (13-5-3, 7 KOs), of Newburgh, NY will defend his NABA Welterweight championship against Florida’s Travis Castellon (17-4-1, 12 KOs).
Promoter Don King recently signed super lightweight contender Ryan Martin (24-2, 14 KOs) from Chattanooga, TN. Martin is managed by country music superstar Kane Brown and this will be Martin’s first fight under the leadership of Brown.
Martin will take center stage in the fifth title fight of the evening as he goes after the NABA Lightweight Championship against an opponent to be named.
FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION LARRY HOLMES WORKS WITH TREVOR BRYAN AND HIS TRAINER IN PREPARATION FOR WBA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST DANIEL DUBOIS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11
LAS VEGAS, NV (April 28, 2022)—WBA Heavyweight Champion Trevor Bryan and his team did a lot of listening. When the former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes speaks, silence is golden.
Bryan is getting ready to defend his WBA title against Daniel Dubois set for Saturday, June 11.
Bryan moved his camp from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Las Vegas and the former heavyweight champion came to town to work with Bryan.
“Trevor Bryan has got himself together,” said Holmes. “He’s kind of quiet and he doesn’t talk a lot. I’m the one with the big mouth. He did a lot of listening and I did the talking. He was willing to learn.
“All these guys are looking for that big punch for the knockout and the easy way out. You can’t beat them unless you take them out in the water and work them over. The jab did that for me and set up everything else.
“Bryan is a big guy and he’s got himself together. He is all business. He really impressed me.”
The 32-year-old Bryan, who sports a 22-0 record with 15 KOs, will be going up against the younger DuBois, at 24-years of age along with his 15-1 record and 14 KOs.
Bryan’s promoter, Don King, is planning to present another spectacular boxing card featuring six championship bouts to continue to promote peace and freedom for the people of Ukraine.
THE EASTON ASSASSIN JOINS TREVOR BRYAN CAMP AS HE PREPARES TO DEFEND WBA HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST DANIEL DUBOIS ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11; BRYAN MOVES HIS CAMP FROM FLORIDA TO LAS VEGAS
LAS VEGAS, NV—WBA Heavyweight Champion Trevor Bryan is getting a lesson in camp as he prepares to defend his title against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, June 11.
Bryan has taken a change of scenery as well as he has moved his camp from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to the bright lights of Las Vegas, NV.
Bryan is getting “schooled” by none other than The Easton Assassin and former WBC and IBF Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes. Holmes, who put together a streak of 48 straight victories in his 30-year career and amassed a record of 69-6 with 44 KOs, has joined Bryan’s camp in Florida. Holmes was not only known for his power, but for his jabs, and he is planning to improve Bryan’s jab as well as his game plan against DuBois.
The 32-year-old Bryan, who sports a 22-0 record with 15 KOs, will be going up against the younger DuBois, at 24-years of age along with his 15-1 record and 14 KOs.
Bryan’s promoter, Don King, is planning to present another spectacular boxing card featuring six championship bouts to continue to promote peace and freedom for the people of Ukraine.
BRYAN ACCEPTS DUBOIS CALL
TREVOR BRYAN SUCCESSFULLY defended his WBA world heavyweight title belt on Saturday night before swiftly responding to a message from across the Atlantic sent by one Daniel Dubois.
Dubois is in mandatory position and next in line for a shot at the WBA title after the governing body granted Bryan permission for a voluntary defence against the largely unknown Jonathan Guidry.
The unbeaten Bryan, 22-0, made harder work of the fight than many probably imagined and the 32-year-old had to rely on the scorecards, which recorded a split decision victory for the New Yorker.
Dubois, 17-1, quickly acknowledged his future opponent’s victory before adding ominously: “But you are in my way. See you soon.”
Bryan readily accepted his next challenge and indicated that he is prepared for an away fixture for what will be a second defence of the belt he won by defeating Bermane Stiverne at the beginning of last year.
“Indeed we will little homie,” responded the executor of 15 KOs. “Cause as I said my campaign overseas will be starting very soon!”
Bryan signed off by borrowing the catchphrase of the voluble former heavyweight contender Shannon Briggs.
#LetsGoChamp
DUBOIS READY TO RULE THE HEAVY MOB
DANIEL DUBOIS ASSESSED the heavyweight landscape and concluded that he is destined to become the leading man of the division when his time comes.
The 24-year-old is ranked at No.1 by the WBA and a shot at the champion Trevor Bryan is set to be called by the governing body. The WBA, of course, also have a ‘super champion’ via unification which is currently Oleksandr Usyk, who is awaiting a rematch with the vanquished Anthony Joshua.
Dubois defeating Bryan would ultimately see him put forward to face the Usyk-Joshua winner, or perhaps an undisputed champion if the belts come together.
Dubois acknowledges there is a lot to play out before any such mystic matchmaking becomes a reality.
“Let’s see in the next couple of fights and where it goes,” reasoned Dubois, who is set to return to the ring in March to begin his assault on world honours. “I want to take one fight at a time. I want to be up there at the top level fighting the best, winning a world title and holding onto it for a good long time. That is my aim and is all I can say.”
On the next destination for three of the belts, Dubois reiterates the thinking that Joshua must enforce his physical advantages to be in with a decent shout of reclaiming his lost property. However, he considers his heavyweight countryman as a winner whatever direction the titles go in.
“It was a good win for Usyk and a good fight for both of them really, a win either way for Joshua. They have a rematch now and I don’t know how that will turn out.
“He has reached the top level and what more can he do? I was a little bit surprised by the fight and, like a lot of people, I am of the opinion that he should have roughed him up, been a bit more physical with him and used his strength.
“He did what he did and Usyk just used his skill and boxed. He is a superior boxer so it all came good for him.
“He could possibly win the rematch and has got a chance. He is saying all the right things about changing up and coming in with a different attitude, so we will see,” continued Dubois, who believes Joshua’s training situation is purely down to personal choice and he must do what is right for himself.
“He has got to do what is right for him and look out for No.1. If it is a right decision he feels he needs to make then so be it.
“For me you always have to change things up when it goes stale and when something is broken you need to try and fix it. Good luck to him.”
To watch Dev Sahni’s full Unibet Lowdown interview with Daniel Dubois on YouTube, click here
DUBOIS TARGETS BRYAN’S BELT
DANIEL DUBOIS HAS placed the winning of a first world title belt right at the top of his 2022 wish list and has WBA champion Trevor Bryan firmly in his sights.
The London heavyweight knockout artist known as ‘Dynamite’ enjoyed a productive 2021 with two typical KO victories – over Bogdan Dinu and Joe Cusumanu – to take his professional ring record to 17-1, with 16 stoppages and more importantly place himself in the top spot of the WBA rankings.
His explosive success has seen him installed as No.1 challenger for the WBA world heavyweight championship currently held by the American Bryan.
Promoter Frank Warren has indicated a March return for the 24-year-old and says he would favour a straight shot at the champion, if the fight can be made.
“It is a new year with new things on the horizon, so I am really excited,” Dubois told Dev Sahni in the Unibet Lowdown.
“It was a good year and a kickstart to the comeback and everything went well. I am just looking forward to the future now, a new year, a new start and a new beginning.
“That [the Bryan match] is a fight that is going to happen. It is a fight I want and a title I want. Things are ticking over at the moment and it will hopefully go that way.
“I definitely fancy it. Since last year when it was mentioned to me I wanted it straight away. It has got to happen this year and I am more than ready, whether it is in England or the US, I want to get my hands on that title and bring it home.
“It is a step in the right direction for me,” reasoned Dubois, who went on to reveal that a brief assessment of the unbeaten Bryan did little to dampen his enthusiasm over his prospects in the fight.
“I’ve checked him out, of course, and he is not that impressive to watch. I just see somebody standing in my way if we get it on. Fingers crossed, we will.
“It will be fun, the whole show will be great and I want to take everyone on this trip with me, this ride to go further than we have been before and keep the momentum moving.
“I only see myself beating him and it is what I am trained to do. I can definitely knock him out and everyone knows I only fight one way.”
Claiming the WBA belt would put Dubois right in the thick of the elite heavyweight mix and place his name into the pecking order to challenge the super champion, who is currently Oleksandr Usyk and potentially Tyson Fury, the WBC king.
“Of course, whoever has the belts I want to face them. I am really excited and what is on the horizon is going to be good. I am determined to go for it now and look good in every performance I have, whether it is against Bryan or someone else.
“I am going to be explosive, devastating and really look the business.”
To watch Dev Sahni’s full Unibet Lowdown interview with Daniel Dubois on YouTube, click here
Images are free to use, please credit: Queensberry Promotions
Paul Decisions Woodley
Jake Paul remained undefeated with an eight-round sPLIT decision over former UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in front of over 16,000 fans at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
Paul landed 71 of 207 punches; Woodley was 52 of 163.
Paul, 190 lbs of Cleveland won by scores of 78-74 and 77-75, while won a card 77-75.
Paul is now 4-0. Woodley, 189 1/2 lbs of Saint Louis, MO is 0-1.
For Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley photos (more to come), scorecard and punch stats using this link HERE
“I don’t know what to say. He was a tough opponent and he’s been fighting for so many years and I’m still new to this. My legs felt weird, I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me. All respect to Tyron though. He’s a Hall of Famer and put up a good fight. I have nothing but respect for him. There’s no hard feelings. This feels amazing to do this for my city and it’s a dream come true
“He hit me with one shot the whole fight, and it was a good shot. It was one real good shot. I don’t know what that one judge saw. But l still got the victory. For me to come here and go eight rounds in my fourth fight, who does that? I’m doing things that have never been done.
“We’ll see who’s next. I’ve been fighting for 18 months now. I haven’t got my hair cut in two years. I haven’t stopped for a second. I’m just going to figure out what’s next.”
TYRON WOODLEY
“I feel like I won the fight. Jake is a great opponent. I didn’t expect him to eat my punches like that. But the fact that one judge only gave me two rounds is insane. Forget that Tommy Fury fight. Let’s run that back.
“Nobody is going to sell the PPV like we did. The ropes held him up when I hit him. I could have had that knockdown. I walked him down and landed back time and time again. I landed power punches, he missed shots all night.”
Amanda Serrano retained her WBC/WBO Featherweight titles with a 10-round unanimous decision over 122-lb world champion Yamileth Mercado.
In round nine, Mercado had a mouse for med under her left eye. Later in the round
Serrano landed 160 of 577 punches; Mercadro was 95 of 302.
Serrano, 124 lbs of Brooklyn, NY won by scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 and is now 41-1-1. Mercado, 124 lbs of Chihuahua, MEX is 18-3.
AMANDA SERRANO
“I had a tough Mexican in front of me tonight. She’s a champion in her own weight class, but I hope I made everyone proud and happy and that SHOWTIME will have me back again. I’m hoping that I made some of these people here fans of women’s boxing and that I made the sport proud.
“I don’t want to say that I’m No. 1 pound-for-pound, because there are great female fighters like Claressa Shields. As long as I’m at the top with fighters like her, then I’m good.
“I want that fight with Katie Taylor in the future. First I want to fight the other featherweight champions and become undisputed in my weight class. Then we’ll have two undisputed champions against each other when Katie and I fight.”
DuBois Blows Out Cusumano inside of 1
Daniel Dubois made a statement in his American debut as he stopped Juiseppe Cusumano inside of the 1st round of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout.
DuBois dropped Cusumano three times. The first was set up by a left hook that was followed by a right hand to the side of the head that sent Cusumano to the canvas. The 2nd knockdown cam from a combination on the inside. DuBois finished off the fight as DuBois laded a right to the jaw that was followed by a right to the head that folded Cusumano to the canvas at 2:10
DuBois, 238 lbs of London is 17-1 with 16 knockouts. Cusumano, 235 1/2 lbs of Danville, VA is 17-4.
DANIEL DUBOIS:
“You don’t get paid for overtime. I had a great performance and had the best training camp ever.
“I want to fight for a world title. I want to fight the best. It’s going to come soon. Whoever’s next. I want to fight for a world title.
“It was a great week. Amazing atmosphere. Good crowd and energy. I loved it.
Love Stops Baranchyk After 7
Montana Love scored the biggest win of his career and remained undefeated by stopping former world champion Ivan Baranchyk after round seven of their scheduled 10-round junior welterweight bout.
At the end of round seven, Love landed a perfect counter left that sent Baranchyk down to the canvas. Branahcyk, who never seemed to get on track had the plug pulled on the fight after the 7th frame.
Love, 141 lbs of Cleveland, OH is now 16-0-1 with eight knockouts. Baranchyk, 140 1/4 lbs of Miami, FL is 20-3.
MONTANA LOVE
“I want to say thank you to everyone who came out tonight. Hopefully I gained some fans. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s very emotional to have this moment in my hometown.
“This is a dream come true. I’m in training everyday thinking about and visualizing this moment. I want to thank Ivan for giving me this opportunity and helping us give the fans a great show.
“We’d been working on that uppercut the whole time during training. The game plan was to move and box him and make him miss. We knew that eventually he was going to open up.
“Strap me up. We’ve been working hard and now it’s my time. I want Josh Taylor and Gervonta Davis. Line them up and we can make it happen, as soon as possible.”
Fury Decisions Taylor
Tommy Fury remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Anthony Taylor in a crruiserweight bout.
Fury landed 73 of 179 punches; Taylor was 29 of 113.
Fury, 179 lbs of Manchester, ENG won by scores of 40-36 and is now 7-0. Taylor, 175 lbs of Alemeda, CA is 0-2.
TOMMY FURY
“I thought I had a good performance. You can’t forget that I only had 10 amatuer fights and my dad wasn’t here with me tonight. I had a great time fighting in front of all these lovely people.
“Jake Paul should have an easy night against me right? He has no excuse to not take the fight. Let’s get it on Jake Paul. I’ve done my part, now you do your part Jake, and we’ll get it on.
“I’m a novice in this game and I know that I have to work on everything. I’m nowhere near a finished product. I’m learning every single day and I’m just thankful to be here healthy and talking to you.
“I was nervous, but at the end of the day, we get in the ring and we fight. Day by day, second by second, I’m getting better and I’m learning. We’re going to get there slowly, but we’re going to get there surely.”
ANTHONY TAYLOR
“I felt like I stole rounds three and four. It could have gone either way. I controlled the middle of the ring and I backed him up. I of course feel like there was some bias because everyone wants to see Fury fight Jake Paul.
“I was more active and threw more body shots. I’m happy with my performance, now it’s up to the powers that be if they want me back. I appreciated this opportunity that I got.
“Everyone said he was going to knock me out in the first round, but obviously I gave him trouble. I’m not happy that the scores were unanimous.”
READY TO REALISE HIS AMERICAN DREAM: DUBOIS IN CAMP
DANIEL DUBOIS IS set to live his American dream when he crosses the Atlantic to take on Joe Cusumano in Cleveland on Sunday August 29.
The young heavyweight star joins light heavyweight hopeful Tommy Fury on the Showtime PPV card headlined by Jake Paul taking on the former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in his latest professional boxing adventure.
Dubois, 23, won the WBA Interim heavyweight title last time out, bouncing back from his single career setback against Joe Joyce with a resounding second round demolition of Bogdan Dinu in June to take his record to 16-1 (15 KOs). He is now in line for a shot at the WBA full title and is awaiting the governing body mandating a challenge to the current champion Trevor Bryan.
First of all though, he is seizing the opportunity to maximise his exposure to the US market and get a taste of the fight scene Stateside.
“It has always been my dream to fight in America,” said Dubois, whose American opponent carries a record of 19-3, with 17 KOs and has not been stopped in his three defeats.
“It is going to be quite some experience and there will be a lot of eyes on my performance. If I do what I do best the fans will go home happy and remember my name.
“I expect it to be a different type of crowd with younger people who are attracted by the YouTube stars. As boxers we could learn something from the YouTube people when it comes to building a following and the more people that watch boxing the better, as far as I’m concerned.
“Obviously my focus is on closing in on a world title shot, but I will not be taking this fight lightly and it is important to impress in front of a new audience and TV platform. I have seen the big fights on Showtime over the years and now it is my turn.
“If I put on a big show, you never know, I might get called out by a YouTuber!”
DANIEL DUBOIS/TOMMY FURY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
DANIEL DUBOIS AND Tommy Fury faced the media today to officially confirm their forthcoming appearance on the Showtime PPV headlined by Jake Paul and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, live on Sunday 29 August.
For their US debuts, Dubois takes on Joe Cusumano, with Fury going into battle with experienced MMA fighter Anthony ‘Pretty Boy’ Taylor in a light heavyweight contest.
Below is a selection of quotes from today’s event from promoter Frank Warren, Dubois and Fury.
Frank Warren This has come about for two reasons. One, Showtime have been onto us constantly about Daniel coming over to the States and making his debut there. Simultaneously, the situation was developing between Tommy and Jake Paul, with them calling each other out, so Tommy called me a couple of months ago and said if you can make that fight, let’s do it.
We worked hard at it and it basically all dovetailed into place. It seemed like a great idea to get them both on the card over there, one for great exposure for both of them, then from Daniel’s point of view to break into the American market and from Tommy’s he will be sitting at a table with Jake Paul so he can’t run away from him.
If they want this fight, and Tommy does the business over there, there ain’t nowhere to go. You can’t keep calling people out and not doing it. It is something that I know Tommy wants badly and we’d like to see it and I won’t step in his way, even though I have made various comments over the years about YouTubers. I’ve got no problem with anyone who gets fit and well to get into the ring and God bless them for doing so, but now is the time for fighters I am promoting to capitalise on this.
This is a big chance for both of them to make a statement, increase their visibility in the States and move forward, provided they do the business at the end of this month.
I go back a long way with Showtime – many, many years – and we brought Naseem Hamed and Joe Calzaghe, along with many others, through on Showtime. I was instrumental in getting the ShoBox series going over there. We were doing regular shows back here that were being broadcast over there, with the likes of Ricky Hatton. This may be the chance for us to re-engage and do that again. They have a massive audience over there and there will be a lot of eyeballs on this show and it will attract a new audience for our guys.
Hopefully, with Showtime, we can get another platform for people to see all our fighters.
Daniel Dubois I feel good about this and I have been waiting for the chance to get over to America and make my debut. Now it is finally here, I can’t wait. I want to go over there to make a statement, come away with a good win and then see what is next. It is definitely the chance to show them a future world champions and I have made some changes to my team and I am ready to get back up there again and challenge for big belts. I want to be back in the firing line.
We will see how I look after more time with Shane McGuigan but in the gym I have been looking different and better. Now I can’t wait to show it all on fight night. I will be 100 % ready for it, while underestimating nobody, and will get the job done.
I am sure Joe Cusumano will come and bring his A-game and that is what I want because it makes a better fight. We will clash in there and the winner takes all. The name Daniel Dubois will crack America now.
Tommy Fury It is a big show and I am very happy to be on it. Now it is about making my own way in front of a new audience that is not the one we normally get. I am over there to do one job and one job only, and that is to win and look good doing it.
I want to impress in America and get my name out there even more. I just see excitement around this fight and I can’t wait to get over there and take everything in. From being a small boy I used to see Tyson in his fight weeks and saw everything. Now it is my turn and I am over there in the limelight and it will be my fight week.
I am there to steal the show, get this idiot out of the way, then we can move on to the other fella and knock him spark out. If I get the opportunity to knock this fella out in 10 seconds I will take it with both hands because it is the fight game and I am not here to mess about. If Jake Paul then goes running, he goes running, but I am there to do a job and if he wants the fight he can have the fight.
I am going to get through this man, I am gonna make an example of him because I wouldn’t even use him as a sparring partner. I am a big light heavyweight and he is gonna know what it feels like on the night.
I think me just walking to the ring outperforms Jake Paul. The man is not a fighter, he is a YouTuber and I’m going to show the difference in levels between MMA fighters and professional boxers.
TRIO OF EXPLOSIVE MATCHUPS ROUND OUT JAKE PAUL VS. TYRON WOODLEY SHOWTIME PPV® FIGHT CARD ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 29
NEW YORK (August 2, 2021) – Three more exciting matchups have been finalized for the highly-anticipated Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley SHOWTIME PPV fight card. Former world champion Ivan Barancyhk will compete along with U.K. stars Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois and Tommy “TNT” Fury makingtheir U.S. debuts in separate bouts on Sunday, August 29 from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
The five-fight SHOWTIME PPV telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and be headlined by renowned content creator and undefeated professional boxer Jake “The Problem Child” Paul taking on the toughest challenge of his young career in the former UFC champion Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. The card also features the previously announced world championship showdown between Puerto Rican star and WBC/WBO Featherweight World Champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano and super bantamweight world champion Yamileth Mercado of Mexico, which will serve as the co-featured bout.
A former junior welterweight world champion, Baranchyk will step into the ring to face the unbeaten Cleveland-native Montana Love in a 10-round showdown on the pay-per-view. Baranchyk seeks another run at the 140-pound title, while Love looks to score a career-best win.
The hard-hitting heavyweight Dubois, who is ranked No. 1 by the WBA, will face Joe Cusumano in a 10-round matchup, and Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, will square off against combat sports veteran Anthony “Pretty Boy” Taylor in a six-round, 180-pound catchweight fight to open the pay-per-view telecast.
Additional action at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse includes top-10 ranked junior middleweight and 2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell taking on Lucas Bastida of Argentina in a 10-round fight. Paul, Love and Conwell will be fighting critical bouts in front of their hometown fans at the Cleveland arena.
Tickets starting at $45 are still available via RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com. The event is co-produced by SHOWTIME PPV and Most Valuable Promotions and promoted by Tony and Bryce Holden of Holden Productions. The pay-per-view telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV. Barstool Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner for the event and will be incorporated in a unique, fully integrated brand activation that is to be announced in more detail.
The Belarusian Baranchyk now fights out of Oklahoma and will look to move closer to another world title opportunity with a win August 29. Sporting a 20-2 record with 13 knockouts, the 28-year-old returns to the ring after fighting in the 2020 Fight of the Year against Jose Zepeda last October. The two fighters combined to score a staggering eight knockdowns in the instant classic won by Zepeda. Baranchyk became a world champion in 2018 by stopping then unbeaten Anthony Yigit in seven rounds. He steps in against Love, a graduate of the ShoBox: The New Generation series who owns a 15-0-1 record with seven knockouts. A highly accomplished amateur, Love will be fighting in his hometown of Cleveland for the second time in his career.
“I know Ivan is a strong young fighter, but he has some ugly habits,” said Love. “We’re having a grueling camp right now and I’m going to keep it ‘Too Pretty’ on fight night. Cleveland deserves the show I’m about to put on.”
A promising heavyweight contender at 23 years old, Dubois has compiled a 16-1 record with 15 knockouts since turning pro in 2017. Dubois had an impressive amateur career as a five-time British junior national champion. A London-native, Dubois’ lone professional loss came against top heavyweight contender Joe Joyce in November 2020. Dubois rebounded quickly with an emphatic second-round knockout of Bogdan Dinu in June to capture the Interim WBA Heavyweight Title. Now, he takes on the 33-year-old Cusumano, who has won four of his last five bouts with all of those victories coming by stoppage. With a record of 19-3, his 17 knockouts give him an impressive 77% KO ratio. Fighting out of Danville, Virginia, Cusumano most recently knocked out Gregory Corbin in November 2020.
“I am ready now to push on and build on the WBA interim title I won in my last fight,” said Dubois. “I am thrilled to take the show on the road and look to win the American public over. I am told the American public love heavyweight boxing, so it is time to introduce them to Daniel Dubois. I will make sure it is a name they won’t forget.”
Already a crossover star after his runner-up finish on the hit U.K. reality TV show “Love Island”, Fury will look to follow in the footsteps of his boxing-rich family and establish his own championship legacy. The 23-year-old from Manchester is 6-0 with four knockouts, having most recently earned a unanimous decision over Jordan Grant in June. Fury will be opposed by Alameda, California’s Taylor, an experienced MMA competitor who dropped his sole pro boxing appearance in 2017 by split-decision. The 32-year-old’s MMA experience includes five Bellator fights and a 7-5 overall record with wins in his last five fights. Taylor is currently training in Puerto Rico and is a regular sparring partner of Jake Paul as he prepares for his bout against Woodley.
“American fans can, as always with me, expect a big dirty knockout,” said Fury. “That is what I say and that is what I try to bring. I want to put on a masterclass performance and show levels again and show how much I am improving. This is another step on my journey to world titles.”
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JOYCE COMMITS DUBOIS TO CANVAS SO HE CAN REMEMBER HOW HE “PROVED PEOPLE WRONG”
JOE JOYCE CARRYING out his best work on canvas is not an unusual concept. After all, 11 of his 12 professional opponents to date have met with the floor of the ring or been saved from the imminent prospect by the instincts of a protective referee.
But Big Joe is also big into transferring his visions, experiences and emotions onto the fabric favoured by painters and artists, with the man known as The Juggernaut just as content quietly perching in front of his easel as he is marching forward with menacing intent under the lights in the ring.
The more than accomplished artist is particularly proud of his latest works. Not exactly painting by numbers, but the No.10 figures strongly in this very personal portrait.
It is a painting that tells the story of his November 28, 2020 heavyweight collision with the multi-titled, seemingly indestructible wrecking machine, Daniel Dubois.
Joyce got the sense that, in the eyes of the watching public, he was merely cast as another step on the gloried career ladder of the young world champion in waiting.
While he never doubted himself – and nor should he have, given his Olympic standing – Joyce accepted his role as a decorated underdog and knew the proof of the pudding would be in the punching.
And his jab, which essentially won him the fight, was on point and Dubois could take no more of the spearing accuracy and sunk to his knee in the 10th round to take himself out of the firing line. His left eye socket that had taken a pummelling from the left glove of Joyce was grotesquely swollen and his race was run.
The plaudits, along with belts, now belonged to Joyce and his portrait marks this moment in time for one of boxing’s quiet achievers.
“It was a turning point for me, where I went from an underdog to pretty much a fully fledged prospect,” explained the 35-year-old, who returns to the fighting fold against Carlos Takam at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday night. “It was a fight where everyone thought I was going to lose and even get knocked out in the first few rounds.
“I proved a lot of people wrong and won a lot of people money for Christmas.”
The fact that many of the fight public and pundits didn’t give him a prayer, Joyce believes, worked in his favour on the night, with the weight of expectation heaped firmly on the young man.
“Yeah it was less pressure and the heat was on Dubois. I’ve been in a lot bigger fights, the Olympics for instance, with a lot of people watching me, so I am used to the pressure. I just get on with it and perform on the night.
“The painting definitely reflects my moment, but I don’t know if it is quite finished yet. I look at it and think I could do more detail, but then I might lose some of the freshness of it. Maybe I have captured it,” he wondered, before telling the process of how he went about capturing the defining point of the fight.
“I just printed off an image, but I didn’t have a particularly good picture because it was from a clip of the fight and it was a bit pixelated so I couldn’t get all the detail I wanted. It does get to the point when you can overdo a painting and it is quite good to know when to stop, otherwise you can ruin the essence of what you are trying to paint.
“I can push my work to being almost photo realistic by painstakingly painting, but it just takes so long and you can get bored of painting the same thing. More recently I have preferred to work it all out in one sitting.
“You don’t want it to be too perfect or you might as well just blow up a photograph.”
This isn’t Joyce’s first venture into personal portraits and it almost certainly won’t be his last.
“The last time I did a self-portrait was my first year of university and I had some massive canvas that one of the students in the third year helped me make. It ended up being so big that it was wider than my outstretched arms and almost as tall as me.
“I will do one for the world title, for sure.
“The thing is, with boxing and painting, it takes time and you have to work at your skills.”
Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24.
Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury.
In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs).
There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year.
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“IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SHOT” – JOE JOYCE HAS THE GIFT OF THE JAB
LOGIC DETERMINED THAT it was Daniel Dubois who chose to remove himself from the firing line and take a knee in the 10th round of his huge domestic showdown against Joe Joyce in November.
Joyce, quite understandably, begs to differ.
The defeat of Dubois is the hallmark name on the record of the 2016 Olympic silver medallist, who is 12-0 with, officially, 11 thudding KOs. He had mixed in good company previously, but Dubois was the young, unstoppable force who pundits picked to knock the Juggernaut off-course.
It turned out that it was the Big Juggernaut who was in indestructible mode and his reward is another marquee name in Carlos Takam on July 24 at the SSE Arena, Wembley, as he hunts down a world title shot later this year or next.
For Joyce, it is big nights only from now on and Takam more than fits the bill, with the muscle-bound Frenchman respected as a dangerman of the division with 28 KOs to his name. With his heavyweight CV being 47 fights deep, the Cameroon-born banger is only one short of having had four times as many professional contests as the 35-year-old Joyce.
Whether he can make such experience count remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Joyce was all for having a last look back at the fight that transformed his career and also the public’s perception of his place in the heavyweight pecking order.
Joyce points out that he has stunned somebody before without actually touching them, but insists Dubois was feeling the effects of a ramrod jab.
“I saw a guy run into a tree once after I looked at him!” recalled the popular Putney native. “Well, it was from my jab – full body weight jabs! Apparently people were saying it was earlier in the fight that did the damage, but that last shot was a full-powered shot and Dubois must have felt something go in his eye and thought he’d had enough.”
But was it always the objective to bring about the downfall of Dubois via unusually nimble footwork and a crispy jab?
“I always work on the jab because it is the most important shot. When something is working and landing every time you stick with it. It wasn’t the plan and there were other combinations I was going to do.
“Perhaps if it wasn’t stopped then I would have to have picked it up in the last couple of rounds – especially knowing I was down.”
Indeed, Joyce was behind on the cards at the time of the stoppage, even though he believed himself the dominant force throughout the fight.
“I was well comfortable in there! Dubois was coming forward throwing his shots for a little burst of about 30 seconds and for the whole fight he was breathing heavily and couldn’t really keep up with the pace. I was nullifying his power and moving away from his shots, meanwhile landing my jab every time with accuracy and force.”
Joyce acknowledges that he had to resist approaching the fight in his traditional fashion of marching forward and being prepared to take a shot or two to land his own.
Recalling some pre-Olympic sparring with the now WBA Interim champion reminded him that freely trading leather wouldn’t be in his best interests.
“Yeah Dubois definitely has power and I felt it even before the Rio Olympics. He landed a big shot and I definitely felt it in sparring. I was seeing a few stars and I’ve always known he has that strength.
“But that is not the only thing in boxing and you have to have other attributes – rely on your strengths and work on your weaknesses.
“Styles make fights and you have to know what your opponent’s particular style is going in there and that is why you need a coach who can read that and you work on it in training. It would be different for every fighter tactically.
“Me being tactical is reserved for certain fights! I do enjoy a tear-up but I was not going to come charging in and get knocked out.”
Dubois returned to his trail of destruction in June following his recovery from orbital injuries and the usually resolute Bogdan Dinu was chopped down half a minute into the second round.
Joyce was pleased for his younger rival, but couldn’t match the obvious delight of Dubois himself, who showed a rare display of emotion.
“He was so happy about his last win – I have never seen him so happy!
“Taking a first loss is hard, especially when you have been built up so well and everyone expects you to win. He does have dynamite in each hand but I think there is a point where you get built too much and become complacent.
“Then you are built for a bigger fall and it happens a lot with British fans. I remember with David Price, he was the next great big thing and then he lost to Tony Thompson, then lost again. They build you up and really slate you when you fall.
“Daniel is showing that you can have a loss, come back and get back on the wagon.”
On the undercard at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24, Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs). Swansea’s Chris Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) will finally defend his British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles against Nottingham’s Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) after recovering from injury.
In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International Super-Bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs).
There is also Heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading Super-Featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year.
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HIGH UP ON the heavyweight wish list of the returning Daniel Dubois is the chance to put right the only blot on his record that came against British rival Joe Joyce.
Dubois, who is back in action with a WBA Interim title shot against Bogdan Dinu in Telford on Saturday, says he would relish the opportunity of setting the record straight against the 2016 Olympic silver medallist should their paths collide once more.
Joyce was triumphant at the end of November when a compelling contest came to an end following Dubois taking himself out of the firing line due to extensive damage to his left eye. The now No.2 ranked WBO contender looked to have executed a cunning and effective game plan to derail the Dubois Express but, when the younger man was counted out, he was actually ahead on the scorecards.
Dubois can put himself right back in the title picture on Saturday with victory over the 20-2 Romanian Dinu, but scoring an equaliser against the only man to have defeated him as a pro remains a high priority, although he insists he will not be consumed by feelings of revenge in the meantime.
“I really do want it, but time will tell what route we both take from here,” said the 23-year-old with a current record of 15-1 (14 KOs). “I would love to fight Joe again. I think I could really do something and beat him. I wasn’t losing by a ton and getting pasted, it was a close fight in my opinion, so nip and tuck, really.
“I want to get back in that sort of level fight and beat someone of Joe’s calibre. We’ll see, I don’t know, only time will tell if it can happen. Right now I am just excited about the comeback.
“I do want to have revenge and to put it right, but if I’ve got to take it out on someone else then, hey, Bogdan is there to get it, isn’t he?”
Returning to the fighting fold with a major belt on the line is a significant bonus for Dubois and he believes we will witness a combination of his previous bullish approach as well as a degree of patience in the way he sets about Dinu.
“It is not bad at all and it is a nice cherry on the cake for my comeback,” he added on the prize on the line. “That is how I look at it and this belt is an important one to get me ranked and on track again.
“I know enough about him and he is a decent fighter, but not on my level and I will put him away in devastating fashion, I believe. I will make a real statement in this next one.
“You will see a bit of both from me, I think. I’ll have that fire in me to go out there and cause mayhem, but also to show my boxing and clever work behind a jab to set it up better.”
Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.
WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).
Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry.
JARRELL MILLER HELPING BOGDAN DINU TO KO DANIEL DUBOIS
BOGDAN DINU has brought in the world’s most controversial boxer Jarrell Miller to help cause the downfall of Daniel Dubois.
The Romanian powerhouse challenges Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title at Telford International Centre on Saturday June 5, live on BT Sport.
Miller is currently banned from boxing after a string of failed drug tests, but has been flown from the United States to Bucharest by Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) for sparring ahead of the big Dubois showdown.
Dinu who will be risking his number two ranking for the WBA world title held by Anthony Joshua when he meets Dubois was beaten by Miller in 2018.
“Jarrell has a great style and I needed him for this fight,” said 34-year-old Dinu
“The preparation has been one of the best I have had. It has been a great training camp with good sparring, good coaches and I’m healthy.
“It has been good having Jarrell Miller in camp. He puts good pressure on, is heavy handed and is a strong guy. That is what I need for big fights like this.
“He is a nice guy, a funny guy and we train together. After every spar he gives me advice on what he believes will work in the fight
“I think it is a big difference between Dubois and Jarrell. Jarrell has power, skills, experience.”
Dubois is returning after suffering an injury loss against Joe Joyce last November and still holds a healthy world ranking with WBA and WBO.
The Londoner will be hoping that 6ft 5in Dinu goes the same way as his previous Romanian opponent, Razvan Cojanu who he toppled inside two rounds in March 2019.
Dinu told the Unibet Lowdown: “Cojanu never had a good strategy against Daniel. I will have a better one. I will get revenge for my old amateur team-mate.”
To watch the Unibet Lowdown with Bogdan Dinu click here
Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.
WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).
Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry.
BOGDAN DINU VOWS TO MAKE DUBOIS PAY FOR “NOT THAT GOOD” JIBE
BOGDAN DINU is determined to show Daniel Dubois that actions speak louder than words in their big fight.
The pair clash for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title at Telford International Centre on Saturday June 5, live on BT Sport.
Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) who is ranked number two in the WBA world rankings has been stung after Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) said of him: “He’s a standard boxer, he’s not that good nor that terrible.”
The 6ft 5in Romanian who last boxed in October when he knocked out Frank Bluemie in two rounds snapped back: “It is easy to speak.
“Look at Daniel’s last fight against Joe Joyce. It is difficult when you’re in there and on the receiving end.
“He is talking before he has met me. As Mike Tyson says everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
Dinu, 34, has only had six more professional fights than Daniel but is much more experienced.
Britain will be the fifth country he has boxed in as a professional having fought in Bulgaria, Canada, United States and his homeland since turning professional 13 years ago.
His two defeats came in high calibre company against current sparring partner Jarrell Miller and two-time world title challenger Kubrat Pulev who he lost against in the seventh round of a contest where the cards were level.
As an amateur he also win a bronze at the World Junior Championships and a silver at the European Junior Championships.
Dinu told the Unibet Lowdown: ‘Daniel is coming back after a loss and he needs experience. You do that with years of work.
“Daniel lost a tough war last time he boxed, but in my opinion he needs more experience. I have the experience.
“I don’t know if they have made a mistake (picking me). I am prepared, coming to win and it will be a war from the first round.
“I am not surprised he has picked me for his return. If you want to win titles then you must always take on good fighters on big shows.
“Daniel is a good fighter, but he needs to learn and have more fights. Good fights, not just against regular fighters who lose in the first round.”
Dinu believes the years he has given up travelling around the world improving his skills will make a difference against British hope, Dubois.
He added: “In my mind I didn’t lose any fight. They are experiences and I am well prepared to get into the big and world championship fights.
“Boxing is low level in Romania and I have made sacrifices. Now is my time and I am ready for the World Heavyweight championship
“It will mean a lot to beat Daniel and people will be proud of me. I will be the winner and then on to the next opponent.”
To watch the full interview with Bogdan Dinu click here
Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.
WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).
Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry.
TOMMY FURY THINKS DANIEL DUBOIS WILL BE ‘BACK STRONGER’
TOMMY FURY has leapt to the defence of Queensberry stablemate Daniel Dubois and backed him to bounce ‘back stronger’ from his injury setback.
Dubois suffered his only career defeat against Joe Joyce in ten rounds last November when he took a knee having suffered a broken eye socket.
He has now been cleared to fight by doctors and Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) headlines on Saturday June 5 when he challenges Romanian Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title, live on BT Sport.
Fury, 22, is in action on the same bill and told host Dev Sahni on Queensberry’s The Lowdown: “I wasn’t in Daniel’s position. I’m not in that fight. You can only answer those things when you’ve been in that position yourself.
“I’m not gonna sit here after five professional fights, all four rounders saying what I would do in that scenario with a broken eye socket.
“I’d like to think I know what I’d do, but when you’re in that scenario it is a different story.
“Health is before wealth and I think Billy Joe Saunders did the right thing and lives to fight another day.
“I think Daniel is going to come back stronger with a knockout and back in the mix for some great fights. He just needs to keep building.
“It is so good to be on the undercard of such a good main event. It is a privilege to be on the card. I’m just looking forward to showing my skills on the night and what I’ve been learning.”
Fury (5-0, 4KOs) is wrapping up training for his contest next month with older brother Tyson Fury in Miami.
It’s looking increasingly likely that WBC World Heavyweight champion Fury will face Deontay Wilder for the third time later this summer.
If that happens, young Tommy fancies making it a family double on the undercard by meeting Wilder’s brother Marsellos.
He added: “That fight would make headlines. It would be a privilege to fight on Tyson’s undercard and both of us getting victories.
“I am up for that fight. I am up for anything. I am over here training, in shape so whatever comes I will be ready for.
“I’ll have a piece of him. I called him out before and he never replied.”
To watch Tommy’s full interview with Dev Sahni on The Lowdown click here
Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.
WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).
Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry.
DUBOIS: “I FEEL LIKE I’M STARTING MY PRO CAREER AGAIN”
THE HEAVYWEIGHT COLOSSUS Daniel Dubois has revealed that he feels like he is starting his professional career all over again as he closes in on his date with Bogdan Dinu with the WBA Interim title at stake on June 5.
Dubois, of course, suffered the unfamiliar sensation of defeat at the back end of November when he entered into a heavy duty domestic duel with Joe Joyce with multiple titles on the line, including the British and European.
The 23-year-old, who had previously picked up nine championship belts in 15 fights, was considered by many to be the irresistible force of the heavyweight division, with the 2016 Olympic silver medallist believed to be a notable obstacle along his reign of terror that saw 14 of his opponents vanquished via stoppage.
The 35-year-old Joyce, a far more seasoned campaigner in the sport, had other ideas and brought his know-how to the fore in repelling the Dubois onslaughts, while picking him off with speedy and telling jabs to the eye of his younger opposition.
It was those measured and powerful prods from the left hand of Joyce that caused a grisly injury to Dubois’ left eye that ultimately resulted in him taking himself out of the line of fire in the 10th round of a close contest in which he was actually up on the cards.
So, instead of sitting back admiring his lofty ranking with the WBO and jostling for a seat at the top table, Dubois was left to lick his wounds and await medical reports over the severity of his injury. He was also left to ponder what went wrong and reconcile himself to the fact he would be embarking on a rebuild.
Dubois admits reconciliation was not instant.
“You know it took a few weeks actually, I must be honest,” he conceded. “Just to reflect, look back and slow everything down again, to pick up the pieces and start putting them back into place. I made decisions about the team, how we are going to move forward and what the next step is.”
A step the bright young heavy insists did not include sulking, even though the taste of defeat was far from familiar.
“I was doing a lot of things, picking up different sports like playing tennis and we’ve got a pool table at home, so I was doing a bit of that.
“I needed to shake the feeling off that a loss brings. It is a down feeling and I needed to overcome it to come forward and see the light.
“The last time I lost was an amateur, it was a good few years ago, when I was 16, probably. When you are a pro and the whole world is getting to see your vulnerabilities, it is interesting, you know. It is a proper sport this boxing.
“You have to ride with it and now I am back again and ready to come back stronger. I’ve looked at it, examined it, now I am ready to push on again, iron out my mistakes and put it right.”
During his period of contemplation Dubois reveals he harboured no doubts over his future participation in the sport, pointing out that his taking a knee maintained his own grip on his future plans rather than relying on medical opinion to continue.
“No, I was honestly too busy feeling bad to think about that. Once I collected myself and pulled myself together, not once did I have doubts over whether I would be coming back.
“Maybe it turned out right that I made the decision I did.
“There was a break from everything, but I am used to being in the gym. Usually after fights it is ‘who is next?’ but that slowed down a bit and now is the time to start again in life. I feel like I am starting my pro career again, as if I am an amateur just turning professional.
“That for me is great – a fresh start. There is no better feeling than the beginning.”
Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional.
WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).
Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry.
BOGDAN DINU TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Heavyweight contender Bogdan Dinu is training hard in his hometown of Buzau, Romania, and getting some excellent sparring work from former foe Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller as he prepares to face Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois for the Interim WBA World Heavyweight Championship.
The 6? 5? WBA #2-rated Dinu (20-2. 16 KOs) will face the 6? 5? WBA #11-rated Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom, on Saturday, June 5. An upset victory over the heavily hyped Dubois will put Dinu one step away from realizing his dream of becoming the first Romanian heavyweight champion of the world.*
Joining the 34-year-old Dinu in camp are his brother George, co-trainer Ross Woolgrove and strength and conditioning coach Daniel Ortega. And this week, to provide world-class sparring, is well-known heavyweight contender and promotional stablemate Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, who stopped Dinu in four rounds in 2018. The pair have remained friends.
“I am training in my home city in my own gym,” explained Dinu between workouts. “I have everything I need here and it’s going really good with Jarrell. He’s one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world. He puts on a lot of pressure and that’s good for me to prepare for this fight. It’s an important fight and I must win!”
Dinu says he’s working on a surprise for the vaunted 23-year-old Dubois, who was considered a red-hot prospect before coming up short against fellow undefeated Brit Joe Joyce last November for the WBC Silver, WBO International, EBU European, Commonwealth (British Empire) and BBBofC British Heavyweight Championships. In the press, pre-fight, Dubois has been promising to knock Dinu out and return to the fast track.
“I see a young heavyweight who likes to fight, but has only faced easier opponents,” Dinu observed about Dubois. “His only tough fight was against Joe Joyce and we saw what happened. You’ll see by the result of our fight that his big reputation is exaggerated. He’s promising to knock me out? He’s just saying words because he hasn’t met me yet. He will have a big surprise when he looks in my eyes, just as tall as he is and not afraid of him at all. I am going to be very well-prepared and I have a lot of surprises for this kid.”
Dinu last fought in October 2020 with a second-round stoppage of German veteran Frank Bluemle in October 2020. His promoter, Greg Cohen, founder and CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions, says his fighter will be a different man when he shows up for battle on June 5.
“Bogdan Dinu has only lost to two of the top contenders in the division in Miller and Kubrat Pulev and he really should have won the Pulev fight,” said Cohen. “Bogdan is a very smart, experienced, tough guy with a great amateur pedigree and I don’t think Daniel Dubois is ready for someone with his world-class skills and experience. Dinu is working every day in camp with Jarrell, who is pushing him to his limits and taking him to new levels as a fighter. After June 5, Bogdan Dinu will be the interim WBA heavyweight champion in line to face one of the top dogs.”
*The WBA ranks Anthony Joshua as their super champion, Trevor Bryan as their regular champion, Robert Helenius as their gold champion and Manuel Charr as their champion in recess. ?
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About Greg Cohen Promotions
One of boxing’s premier promotional outfits, Greg Cohen Promotions (GCP) is a well-respected name for staging world-class professional boxing events and promoting elite professional fighters throughout the world.
Founder and CEO Greg Cohen has been involved with professional boxing in various capacities since the late 1980s, honing his craft and establishing himself as a shrewd international boxing businessman.
Distinguished by his ability to spot and develop raw talent, Cohen is lauded for his expert guidance of, among many others, current WBA Middleweight Champion Rob Brant from Minnesota, top-rated heavyweight contender Jarrell “ Big Baby” Miller from New York and former WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout of New Mexico. All three fighters, under Cohen’s promotional watch, went from unknowns to prospects to national television stars.
In addition, Greg Cohen Promotions has worked with established names such as former unified and two-time heavyweight champion Hasim “The Rock” Rahman and all-time-great multiple-weight class world champion James “Lights Out” Toney, as well as former WBA World Champion Ismael Barroso and former WBO-NABO Super Middleweight Champion “Mean” Joe Greene.
Greg Cohen Promotions has hosted world-class boxing events in the finest venues throughout the United States and the world and has also proudly provided talent and/or content for several television networks including HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, CBS Sports, MSG and FOX Sports Net.
BACK STRONGER: JUNE 5 DATE TAKING SHAPE
TOMMY FURY WILL join the party as fans make a welcome return to boxing for Daniel Dubois’ WBA Interim heavyweight title tilt against Bogdan Dinu on June 5.
Fury, 22, will have his sixth professional fight at light heavyweight following a training stint with brother Tyson in the USA. His five fights to date have spanned just 10 rounds and Fury has four successive quick stoppages to his name as he continues his ascent in the professional game.
For the first time since February 22, 2020, fight fans will be welcome through the doors of a Queensberry event – albeit with a limit of a thousand until the further easing of restrictions.
“It will be an absolute joy to have fans back in support of the fighters,” said promoter Frank Warren. “We have all done our best to keep the sport on track since we were able to return, but the missing ingredient that nobody was able to compensate for was the lack of atmosphere and buzz that surrounds a night at the boxing.
“Even though this is only the first step in people coming back to pack out venues, having a thousand in the arena will make such a difference and will also improve the spectacle for those tuning in to watch live on BT Sport.
“Tommy is proving himself to be an attraction and his performances so far have certainly caught the eye. He looks the part but, as he says himself, it is very early days for him and getting good rounds under his belt is paramount.”
Also back in action is WBO ranked number four Super-Featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) who enters into his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith.
The Kent man is in a hurry to get a world title fight and believes he might get a crack at WBO champion Shakur Stevenson inside 12 months, while another option could be the eventual winner of the Cacace v Woodstock British title encounter.
Belfast’s Middleweight wrecking machine Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) is back and will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win.
Stoke on Trent’s hugely popular Middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs).
Unbeaten English Bantamweight champion Liam Davies faces Manchester’s Stephen Jackson (1-1, 1 KO).
Powerhouse newcomer George Bance makes his professional debut against Plymouth’s hugely experienced Chris Adaway.
Warren added: “Obviously there will be a lot of attention on Daniel Dubois, but the rest of the card shows the strength in depth – and massive potential – of our stable.
“I look at the young talent we have and the Queensberry team is getting stronger and stronger.”
“TIME TO MOVE ON”: DUBOIS SETS SIGHTS ON DINU
After a whirlwind few days where young Heavyweight superstar Daniel Dubois has been unexpectedly thrust back into the media spotlight, ‘Dynamite’ has now said it is “time to move on”.
Daniel was last seen in the ring on November 28 when he suffered a horrific eye injury at the hands of Joe Joyce.
In the wake of that shock defeat internet trolls, and even some within boxing, were keen to put the boot in on Dubois by questioning his decision to take a knee and end the bout.
One such figure was Billy Joe Saunders, who was vociferous in his criticism of the 23-year-old mild-mannered bruiser.
Those remarks would come back to bite Bill, who would fall to Canelo Alvarez after suffering a very similar injury.
Daniel says he understands why the fans and press alike have jumped on this ironic twist of fate but has insisted it is time to move on.
The ever-classy Dubois said: “I understand why everyone has wanted to make comparisons between me and Billy, but it’s time to move on now.”
Saunders is currently awaiting treatment at a hospital in Dallas and Dubois says it’s time to give him space to recover and regroup.
“Billy has had his injury, people have said what they’ve had to say but now it’s time to let him rest, heal and be with his family.
“It’s important for me to move on too. I’ve got a fight on June 5th with Bogdan Dinu that I need to get ready for.”
The Heavyweight collision with Romania’s Bogdan Dinu will be Dubois’ first taste of action since suffering his injury and he is keen to put the memories of that fateful night behind him.
“Over six months of frustrations are ready to come out. You are going to see the best version of Daniel Dubois in that ring on June 5th. I will beat Bogdan Dinu up and knock him out.”
Some may have expected young ‘Dynamite’ to have taken an easier fight for his return, but Dubois was keen to jump back in the mix and take on #2 ranked WBA Heavyweight Dinu with the WBA Interim title on the line.
“Dinu is a decent test. He does some things very well. He has fast hands and can move. He’s ranked #2 for a reason, and he’ll see this as a chance to get a title.”
Whilst Dubois is keen to move on from both the events of this past weekend in Texas and his own defeat in November last year, he understands that the only way to truly do that is deliver something spectacular in the ring.
At just 23-years-old, he will be looking to add a 15th career KO to his record and improve to 16-1 as a professional.
Dubois is fully aware of the question marks that surround him after the nature of his last defeat and he is confident he has all the answers.
“I need to do what I do, show people why they called me ‘Dynamite’ in the first place” Dubois said, “It’ll be a devastating performance, I promise you. A huge knockout to put myself back on the map.”
‘BACK STRONGER: DUBOIS vs DINU’ IS LIVE ON BT SPORT 1 HD ON SATURDAY JUNE 5th
DANIEL DUBOIS TAKES UP PETER CROUCH’S OFFER, WILL BE “BACK STRONGER”
Heavyweight superstar ‘Dynamite’ Daniel Dubois has taken up an offer from England football legend Peter Crouch to use his popular podcast’s catchphrase ‘Back Stronger’ as the tagline for his next fight.
23-year-old Dubois meets the WBA’s #2 ranked Heavyweight Bogdan Dinu on June 5th and ‘Back Stronger’ seems the perfect fit for the Greenwich man’s return as he looks to rebound after a horror eye injury suffered at the hands of Joe Joyce.
On the latest episode of ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’, Dubois asked presenters Crouchy, Chris Stark and Tom Fordyce what they made of internet trolls targeting him for taking a knee in his last fight.
Fans of the podcast will know that Peter Crouch has become an expert in judging the art of what he calls ‘sh*thousery’ and he strongly rebuked boxing’s armchair army when he confidently declared “there’s no sh*thousing there, let’s be honest.”
Crouch added: “I think we should get behind him!”
Co-host Tom Fordyce came up with the idea of the podcast offering formal support to Dubois’ as he mounts his comeback by letting him use their ‘Back Stronger’ catchphrase.
Talking exclusively to Queensberry, Dubois said: “It’s nice to have the support of someone like Peter Crouch. He’s competed at the top level of his sport, represented his country and been the subject of abuse himself. He knows what it’s like to be injured too, so yeah obviously it’s nice for someone like that to back you up.
“I listened to what the guys had to say and I’m happy to take them up on their offer.
“Back Stronger seems like the perfect title for my next fight. Because I will be, I’ll be back stronger. On June 5th, I get back in the ring and take my frustrations out on Bogdan Dinu.
“It’ll be back to what I do best, an explosive performance and a devastating knockout.”
It’s been a rough couple of months for Dubois, who prior to the Joyce defeat was widely considered to be the hottest prospect in Heavyweight boxing.
Despite withstanding a barrage of abuse from internet fans, and some within boxing too, ‘Dynamite’ says he’s still laser-focused on achieving his goals in the sport and reaching the dizzy heights many had predicted for him.
“It’s strange having people slag you off just for getting injured. I’ve never experienced that before. But, It’s boxing… it’s a tough sport, and I’ve dusted myself off, I’ll go again and prove everyone wrong.
“I don’t care what critics have to say to be honest. I’ll just come back, win fights, win titles and shut them up.”
That sentiment was backed up by Chris Stark, who said on the podcast: “I’ve got no doubt at all he’ll be back stronger for his next fight.”
Peter Crouch added: “He was on the right track, obviously he’s lost his way in the last fight, got beat… but all he’s got to do is come back stronger.”
Perhaps unconvinced that KO-artist Dubois would actually take them up on their offer, Crouchy did go on to say that “If I actually see, in the build up to this fight, ‘DUBOIS: BACK STRONGER’, it’s going to really make my day.”
Well, Crouchy, consider your day made…
‘BACK STRONGER: DUBOIS vs DINU’ IS LIVE ON BT SPORT 1 HD ON SATURDAY JUNE 5th.
To listen to the latest edition of THAT PETER CROUCH PODCAST, please click here
DUBOIS vs DINU FOR WBA INTERIM TITLE ON JUNE 5
DANIEL DUBOIS WILL make his long-awaited return to the ring on Saturday June 5 with a challenge for the vacant WBA Interim heavyweight title against the towering Romanian Bogdan Dinu.
The 23-year-old Dubois was last in action at the end of November 2020 in a multi-titled collision with fellow Brit Joe Joyce in London. An absorbing battle came to a halt when Dubois, who suffered a horrific eye injury, removed himself from further danger by taking a knee in the 10th round.
It was later confirmed that he had sustained significant damage to his orbital bone and taking himself out of the firing line almost certainly preserved his career and protected against an even more serious injury.
Having now been given the all-clear from specialists, the 15-1 Dubois is ready to pick up where he left off prior to the Joyce fight and get back into the business of winning titles. Dubois is formerly the holder of the WBC Youth world, the Southern Area, English, British, WBO European, WBO Global, WBO International, Commonwealth and WBC Silver belts.
Dinu, 34, from Bucharest, holds a record of 20-2, with 16 of his wins coming via knockout. The 6ft 5″ puncher, ranked #2 by the WBA, returned to winning ways with two KO victories after suffering his only career losses in the USA when he went up against the unbeaten ex-contender Jarrell Miller and the hugely experienced campaigner Kubrat Pulev.
The show will be co-promoted by Dinu’s US promotional vehicle, Greg Cohen Promotions.
“I am excited to be back in the ring on June 5 after the frustration of being kept out of the gym and doing what I love to do for a number of months after my last fight,” said Dubois.
“This is my chance to remind people of what I am really about, which is winning fights in a devastating fashion. I don’t need to make any excuses for the Joe fight because everybody could see the issue with my vision, but Joe won fair and square and we move on.
“Time is on my side but I don’t intend to slow down my progress and I am more than happy to be returning to the ring in a big title fight that puts me right back in the picture.
“I respect Dinu and accept that he could provide a tough test, but I can only see one outcome and that is me leaving the ring with another major championship belt for my collection.”
Dinu, who last fought in October 2020 with a second round stoppage, said: “This is the most important fight for me and I will be prepared for a war in the ring. It’s my perfect moment to win and to get to the big fights. I’m fighting in London to become the first Romanian heavyweight champion of the world.”
Promoter Frank Warren added: “I’m delighted to get this fight over the line for Daniel and really pleased to be working with Greg Cohen on this event. A win for Daniel in this Interim title fight will see him become the mandatory challenger for the WBA world title and, if he can get past Dinu on June 5, he is back in contention and right in the mix with the top contenders.
“It is an opportunity for Daniel to post a ‘business as usual’ statement to the public and the rest of the heavyweight division following his setback against Joe. Daniel’s enthusiasm to reach the very top has not diminished in the slightest and, even though it is a bit of an old cliche, it is true that he will only learn and benefit from the experience of taking a first loss and rebuilding from it.
“Dinu is a high quality and respected opponent who in no way can Daniel take lightly. It is exactly the sort of challenge he needs at this stage in his career. Daniel achieved so much, so early on his professional journey and remains so young in heavyweight terms.
“There will be significant pressure on Daniel coming back after a first defeat and the focus will be right on him to see how he reacts. He is returning in a big fight, everything will be on the line and the prize on offer is a shot at the world title.”
Greg Cohen, founder and CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions, said: “This is the career defining bout that Bogdan Dinu has been waiting for his entire life. The opportunity to not only fight for, but WIN a WBA Heavyweight Title, against a top rated and well respected fighter in Daniel Dubois will put Bogdan at the top of the heavyweight division and open the doors to mega fights for him in the near future. His entire team has been assisting him in preparing for this moment and he will undoubtedly seize the moment. It won’t be easy, but the years of hard work, sacrifice and experience are going to pay off.
“I’d like to thank the entire team at Queensberry for their professionalism and assistance in making this bout a reality. I’d also like to thank Sorin Florea, Bogdan’s long time manager from Romania who’s support, attention to detail and class are always instrumental and appreciated. We look forward to a great night of boxing and a spectacular heavyweight matchup!”
Joyce stops Dubois in 10th
In a highly anticipated heavyweight battle of undefeated fighters, Joe Joyce scored a 10th round stoppage over Daniel Dubois at The Church House, Westminster in London, England.
It was a highly competitive and high quality scrap with DuBois getting the better early as he landed some hard right hands that Joyce showed a terrific chin by walking right through him. Joyce was very effective with his jab.
In round five, the effectiveness of the jabs showed as the left eye of Dubois began to swell. Dubois was still able to get in some good shots, but towards the end of the ninth round, you could feel the tide beginning to turn towards Joyce.
The eye of Dubois was getting worse and worse, and finally in round ten, Joyce landed another hard jab, that made Dubois first paw at his left eye and then take two steps back to take a knee and basically submitted as he watched the referee count to 10 and the fight was over at 36 seconds.
Joyce, 258 lbs of Puttney, London is 12-0 with 11 knockouts. Dubois, 244.6 lbs of Greenwich, London is 15-1.
Sheeraz stops Pitto in 10th
Hamzah Sheeraz won stopped Guido Nicolas Pitto in the 10th and final round of their super welterweight bout.
Sheeraz rocked Pitto with a hard right. That set up a nine punch flurry and then three hard punches later, the fight was stopped at 1:11.
Sheeraz, 153.9 lbs of East London is 12-0 with eight knockouts. Pitto, 152.9 lbs of Barcelona, SPA is 26-8-2.
Number-one ranked junior welterweight Jack Catterall tuned up for a world title opportunity by winning a 10-round decision over Abderrazak Houya.
In round six, Catterall dropped Houya with a perfectly timed counter-left. In round nine, Catterall sent Houya down again with a hard left.
Catterall, 143.3 lbs won by a 99-90 score and is now 26-0. Houya, 141.9 lbs is 14-3.
David Adeleye stopped Danny Whitaker in round two of their scheduled six-round heavyweight bout.
In round two, Adeleye landed a right that dropped Whitaker. Seconds later, Whitaker was sent to the canvas for a 2nd time, and the fight was stopped at 2:09.
Adeleye, 219.4 lbs of London is 4-0 with all wins coming early. Whitaker, 260.1 lbs is 4-2.
Jack Massey won an eight-round decision over Mohammad Ali Bayat in a cruiserweight bout.
In round eight, Massey was cut over the right eye.
Massey, 201.6 lbs of Manchester, UK won by a 79-74 score and is now 17-1. Bayat, 200.7 lbs of Dubai i 16-2-1.
THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING: DUBOIS vs JOYCE TO BE BROADCAST IN OVER 100 COUNTRIES
Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce is a fight that has captured the British public’s imagination with fans and pundits alike calling it the biggest all-British Heavyweight fight in many years.
UK fans will be watching exclusively live on BT Sport 1 HD tomorrow night at 7.30pm but the fight has also caught the attention of a global audience and Queensberry can confirm that over 100 countries will broadcast the fight this weekend.
Joining BT Sport 1 HD in taking this momentous event into peoples homes will be ESPN+ in the United States, amongst others.
For a full list of broadcast partners please see the below:
BT SPORT 1 HD – UK and Ireland
ESPN + – USA
ESPN KNOCKOUT – Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico
SABC – South Africa
RMC – France
FOX SPORT – Australia
MATCH TV – Russia
POLSAT – Poland
FITE – Germany, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
VIASAT – Sweden, Finland, Denmark
TSN DIRECT – Canada
S SPORT – Turkey
MTEL – Bulgaria
ADJARASPORT – Georgia
PRAGOSPORT – Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia
EUROSPORT – Spain, Portugal, India, Andorra
ONESPORT – Philippines
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VIDEO: Dubois v Joyce Weigh-In
DUBOIS vs JOYCE – WEIGH-IN RESULTS
AT LAST, Dubois vs Joyce is finally happening. It is a fight that has captured the public imagination and it goes down this Saturday night live on BT Sport 1 HD from 7.30pm.
Ahead of another huge night of boxing on BT Sport tomorrow, the competitors today weighed-in and faced off inside the fighter bubble hotel.
Photos from todays weigh-in can be found here, and the running order and weights can be found below.
Fight #1 Mitchell Barton (18st 6lb 2oz) vs Matt Gordon (17st 13lb 1oz)
Fight #2 Joshua Frankham (10st 9lb 2oz) vs Matt Hall (10st 8lb 6oz)
Fight #3 Louie Lynn (9st even) vs Paul Holt (9st 3lb 2oz)
Fight #4 Jack Massey (14st 5lb 6oz) vs Mohammad Ali Bayat (14st 4lb 7oz)
Fight #5 David Adeleye (15st 9lb 4oz) vs Danny Whitaker (18st 8lb 12oz)
Fight #6 Jack Catterall (10st 3lb 3oz) vs Abderrazak Houya (10st 1lb 10oz)
Fight #7 Hamzah Sheeraz (10st 13lb 9oz) vs Guido Nicolas Pitto (10st 12lb 10oz)
Fight #8 Daniel Dubois (17st 6lb 6oz) vs Joe Joyce (18st 6lb 14oz)
AT LAST: DUBOIS vs JOYCE IS LIVE TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7.30pm ON BT SPORT 1 HD
THE FIGHT EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT: FIGHTERS, PUNDITS AND FAMOUS FANS HAVE THEIR SAY
AT LAST, Dubois vs Joyce is finally happening. It is a fight that has captured the public imagination and it goes down this Saturday night live on BT Sport 1 HD from 7.30pm.
Below are a selection of prediction quotes from some of the biggest names in the sport, and a few famous fans for good measure.
TYSON FURY I want to be there for that. I want to be the commentary man for that fight. That’s a fight I do not want to miss. Both good fighters. Joe’s a big strong unit, Juggernaut, get in the way he’ll run you over. Daniel’s big and strong and youthful, fresh. They’re both good fighters and it’ll come down to who wants it more on the night. They’re both capable of winning, they’re both capable of pulling victories out and they’re both capable of knocking the other person out. It’s a fight you don’t want to miss. Watch it live and exclusive on BT Sport.
DAVID HAYE I can see it going both ways. I can see Dubois being able to stop Joyce if it’s an early shootout. But, if it’s not an early shootout and it becomes a boxing match, I believe that works in Joe Joyce’s favour. So I’m going to go with the man I know, the man I’ve seen take some beatings and soak it up, I’m going to go with Joe Joyce by points decision or late stoppage.
JOHN FURY I’m a little bit worried about whether it’s too early for Daniel Dubois. Joe Joyce is a big, strong seasoned man. We know he’s got a good engine and he can hold a shot well. It’s a hard one, but for my money it’s a bit too soon for Daniel Dubois.
ANDY LEE I see it being a shoot out. I think Dubois’ extra speed will give him the edge and I think he’ll win by knockout.
RICKY HATTON I think most people will lean to Dubois slightly because he’s a man in form. He’s a little bit fresher. Joe’s had a very distinguished amateur career, maybe he has a few more miles on the clock than Daniel. He’s quite versatile Joe. He can do pretty much everything. His style is a little bit in-your-face, though, which might suit Daniel Dubois. I think it’s a 50-50 fight, but Daniel might be a little bit fresher… I think that might just make the difference.
PAULIE MALIGNAGGI My prediction is an explosive fight. Could go either ways. They’re both big punching guys looking for the big one. I edge towards Dubois at this moment.
RICHIE WOODALL I think if Daniel Dubois can land a big shot early on it’ll be his contest. If Joe can get through the first 3 or 4 rounds and take Daniel into the later stages… then the tide could turn after 5 or 6 rounds. If I had to put money on it, I’d probably just fancy Daniel to be honest.
LIAM WILLIAMS I think it’ll be a very good fight. I quite highly favour Dubois, but if Joyce can weather a bit of a storm then I think he’s in with a chance. If you put a gun to my head, I’d have to put my money on Dubois.
NATHAN GORMAN It’s a real 50-50 fight in my opinion. I think lot of people are writing Joe off, but it’s a lot closer than that. Joyce has got a good amateur pedigree. Daniel on the other hand is a big power puncher, massive backhand. Under six I’ll favour Daniel, over six it’ll be interesting to see what happens.
TOMMY FURY 50-50 in my mind. Obviously Joyce can shift a shot, he’s more experienced coming from the amateurs. He’s had some good fights as a professional. Then you’ve got a young boy Daniel Dubois, British champion on his way up. I know it’s a cliché to say that if it goes long Joyce will win it and if it goes short Daniel will win it but really, I just wish good luck to both men hope they put up a good fight and may the best man win.
CARL FRAMPTON This ones really interesting. Both guys are punchers. Dubois is technically better than Joe but Joe, even though he looks really unorthodox, he’s got an engine like I’ve never seen before in my life. I was lucky enough to train with him and I’ve never seen a fitter boxer. He’ll want to apply his pressure to Dubois and make him work hard from the start. I think it’s going to be a great fight, Joe’s going to force the pace from the start and he’s going to walk onto a lot of shots so it’s all about how well his chin holds up. The later the fight goes on the more chance that Joe has but I’m going to stay with Dubois on this one. I think Dubois will get to him at some point, probably a stoppage in the middle rounds.
DAVID PRICE speaking to SecondsOut
(Picking Joe Joyce) “It’s the intensity he fights at. It’s his unconventional, unorthodox style which can throw people a lot. Bryant Jennings is a top operator… and Joyce is getting in with him when he hasn’t even had ten professional fights. I believe (Joe) is an Olympic Gold medaller, really. So, Joe’s going into the fight in my eyes as the favourite.
ADAM CATTERALL (TalkSPORT presenter and Fight Disciples co-founder)
Two top blokes throwing down for our entertainment. Like everybody else I see either Daniel early or Joe late. I can’t see it going the distance. Joe is tough but he does get hit. If Daniel can open him up with that jab and left to the body, the head shots will come. Can’t see Joe getting knocked out but I can see him stopped on his feet.
PADDY CONSIDINE (Top actor who starred in Journeyman)
I have to pick Daniel. The momentum is with him. Joe seems too easy to hit with the right hand. Joyce may have a great chin, but he can’t keep taking those all night. This is going to be a great fight. It reminds me of Lennox Lewis v Gary Mason
LOU DIBELLA (Leading US promoter)
I love this fight — clash of styles, with the outcome in doubt. Big Joe is physically strong, durable, more experienced, and has reach… but he’s slow. Dubois is more mobile, can be explosive, and has potential out the ying-yang. This is a great domestic brawl. The kid’s more athletic and I’m predicting a mid/late stoppage for Daniel.
DEAN EDWARDS (Celebrity chef, boxing nut and previous MasterChef runner-up)
I’m so pleased that we are getting the sort of domestic dust up that so many fighters try to avoid, it’s a 50/50 fight but if I had to pick, my prediction is that Daniel wins via TKO round 4. This is going to be a great fight.
RON LEWIS (Leading Boxing writer)
This is a real gut check for Dubois. As much as people will predict big things about his future, he has never beaten anyone nearly as good or experienced as Joyce and I could easily see Joyce wearing down Dubois and stopping Dubois. However, I think the difference between the pair is defence. Joyce doesn’t mind taking a shot and at some point that will be his downfall. Joyce will take some shifting but if Dubois catches him cleanly enough often enough, he will stop him. Dubois 7-9.
CHRIS McKENNA (Daily Star)
I believe Dubois will have to come through some storms early in the fight, Joyce will be relentless and will pile plenty of pressure on while may even come close to forcing a stoppage of his own but I think the younger man will dig deeper and find something late on. But it will need the referee to take Joyce out as he will be brave and want to fight on.
ANTHONY OGOGO
Going to be a great fight, two of the biggest prospects in Heavyweight boxing tearing it up, like the good old days. It’s as close to a 50/50 as you can get but I’m slightly leaning towards Joyce as he’s more experienced in big matches, his physical maturity and experience in big fights and competition like the Olympics , etc.
JON PEGG (Top Matchmaker)
I keep changing my mind on this one. I’m going for the Peacock Gym team to tip the balance with their experience and Dubois to get a hard fought stoppage around 7.
KALLE SAUERLAND (Top Promoter)
I think it’s an excellent 50/50 fight and has the makings to be a classic. Dubois is a phenomenal talent but is this a match-up too early for him? I could not pick a winner as there are too many unknowns but if I had too I would have to pick Joyce because I have seen him in the deep end before. Good luck to both.
SARAH SHEPHERD (The Athletic)
We know a few things going into this fight: Joe Joyce has a granite chin and serious engine and Daniel Dubois can absolutely bang. Combined, those factors suggest we will see Joyce look to survive an inevitable onslaught in the first few rounds and take Dubois into deep waters late on. I’m not sure he makes it and can see the referee stepping in to save him before it gets that far.
LIAM SMITH (Former WBO Super-Welterweight champion)
I think it’s a top fight between two very good Heavyweights who are both on the up. It’s a good clash of styles. If Dubois has it in the tank, I think he wins, he’s better all round. If he doesn’t, and doesn’t do Joyce in the first few rounds, then Joyce could come on for a late stoppage. But, my pick is Dubois win, 4-6 rounds.
MARK TIBBS (Top Trainer)
I believe ‘Dynamite’ Dubois is gonna explode on point and extinguish Joe Joyce within six rounds.
A lot of people are writing Joe off, but he’s GB’s most decorated amateur for a reason. I’m going for JJ win.
WALLY DOWNES (The Sun)
I can’t back against Daniel, his rise and his camp has been so seamless and continuous whereas Joe, for all his talent, has never really settled anywhere or been the main man. I have only seen Joe Hurt once and that was to the body. I think Daniel will target that and get the job done.
GARETH A DAVIES (Telegraph, talkSPORT)
This is an enticing, thrilling match-up and a crossroads fight for both Dubois and Joyce. Dubois has the edge in speed and devastating power, but Joyce looks like he means business and victory would elevate him into the top of the division. If Joyce is still there and intact after six rounds it will be fascinating, especially if Dubois has been tested by Joyce’s punches. I think Dubois wins this, if he can take those punches, around the sixth round.
MIKE COSTELLO (BBC 5Live)
It could be one to remember, coming at such a pivotal time for both. I believe the accuracy of Dubois with the left hand – the jab and the body shot – will be the key factor in the outcome, offsetting the greater work rate of Joyce.
AT LAST: DUBOIS vs JOYCE IS LIVE THIS SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7.30pm ON BT SPORT 1 HD