
If the unified heavyweight champion is seriously considering a move back down to cruiserweight, Daniel Dubois has some words for Oleksandr Yusyk: First of all, we have some unfinished business.
It's been a year since Dubois was stopped by the Ukrainian in controversial circumstances in the ninth round of their world title fight in Wroclaw, but the 26-year-old has since bounced back with TKO wins over Jarrel Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
The blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21 will be broadcast live. Sky Sports Box OfficeThere will also be a winner soon, and he will likely face the winner of the Tyson Fury-Usyk rematch in December.
Yusik had previously suggested he would drop down a level to regain his undefeated status at the 14-stone limit, but after his fight with Joshua, Dubois was determined to get his comeback against the 2012 Olympic gold medallist.
“I have to go in there and fix what’s wrong,” Dubois said. Sky Sports.
“There's definitely unfinished business between me and Usyk, and that's part of my rise. I've been in a dark place before, and now I'm coming back to the light, so I have to get that back.
“He's been at cruiserweight before and I'm sure he can get back up there, but we'll see what the future holds.”
Add to that the fact that Dubois currently holds the IBF belt, which he lost to Usyk, making him the first undefeated heavyweight champion in 25 years, only to lose it less than a month later.
Dubois was promoted to world champion by the sanctioning body after earning interim champion status with an eight-round stoppage of Hrovic in Saudi Arabia in early June.
The vagaries of boxing politics didn't bother the Greenwich fighter much, but it did mean he didn't actually hold the belt when his fight with former unified world champion Joshua was announced.
“We're waiting. Where are you?!” Dubois said with a laugh. “But hopefully I'll get it.
“But you know what? That's how Lennox Lewis became champion, and it's happened before in boxing history.
“Just being labeled a world champion is a great feeling.
“I wish I had the IBF world title belt that night, but it's all good.”
The win over Hrugowicz was something of a declaration victory for Dubois, especially considering he had been criticised for the way he lost to Usik.
That night in Riyadh, the encouragement from his father and trainer Don Charles at ringside fueled him, and he's taking one big lesson from that fight to the fight with Joshua.
“It was just about digging deep,” DuBois said. “As my dad used to say outside the ring, 'Don't wait, don't wait!'
“Once I start throwing at them, they have to defend. The best form of defense is offense, so I learned to attack and attack and keep going in that fight.
“Having my dad at ringside is a huge deal. I just have to kick his butt and keep going!
“At first I was a little shaky, but once I got into the rhythm I got used to it. I felt the vibe and it was nice to have the right people on my side.”
Now back in boxing as a world champion on his home turf in London, Dubois has no concerns about what he's doing.
He knew that a win over Joshua would give him the chance to add more world title belts to his collection, and perhaps even a chance to right a wrong against Usyk.
“I'm going to be at the top of the tree (if I beat Joshua),” DuBois said. “I'm definitely going to be king.”
The heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will be broadcast live on Saturday, September 21. Sky Sports Box Office. Book your Joshua v Dubois match now!















