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The Beautiful Resurgence of Daniel Dubois

Originally posted on Fights Around The World
By Ryan O'Hara | Last updated Jun 4, 2024 4:56 PM ET

For the last ten months, Filip Hrgović (17-1, 14 KOs) seemed destined to become a heavyweight champion until Daniel Dubois cut a knife through his master plan. The heavy-handed Brit won the interim IBF title with an upset eighth-round technical knockout of Filip Hrgović, who became the latest fighter to get stung by the complacency bug.

The 32-year-old Hrgović entered the fight as a significant favorite to defeat and knock out Dubois. But his focus for much of the past 19 months has been on undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. The unbeaten Ukrainian was ordered to face Hrgović in November 2022, only for the IBF to rescind the order a few months later after much backlash. This provided a path for the undisputed bout between former champion Tyson Fury and Usyk to take place.

Nonetheless, Hrgović sucked it up and scored knockout victories over the likes of Demsey McKean and Mark De Mori. But last Saturday, the glass slipper broke for Hrgović, as Dubois proved that he is more than worthy of another opportunity to sip the championship wine.

Dubois’ Resurgence Has Been Remarkable

Dubois is seven bouts removed from an embarrassing loss to then-unbeaten title contender Joe Joyce. At the first press conference for their November 2020 fight, Dubois took a jab at Joyce’s mother, who is 93 percent blind after Joyce’s manager, Sam Jones, taunted Dubois, alleging he pulled out of an amateur final. Dubois claimed he was ill.

When the audience had the opportunity to ask the fighters questions, Joyce’s mother, Marvel, took center stage and asked: “Daniel, if you get ill before the fight, are you going to pull out? Dubois followed up with a low blow. “Because you can’t see your son after he’s been knocked out, you will be spared the heartache.”

The remark sparked backlash throughout the sport. Unfortunately for Dubois, Joyce served him a cold dish of karma. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist outboxed him from the onset and used his left eye as target practice before causing it to swell shut by the 10th round en-route to the victory.

Although Dubois has hit a few rough patches in his journey, he has returned stronger. He was dropped three times by Kevin Lerena, rebounded to score a third-round TKO victory, and was knocked out by Usyk. However, wins over Jarrell Miller and Hrgović have put Dubois back in the cat bird’s seat at potentially landing a rematch against Usyk.

Dubois Is Riding High With Confidence

Dubois had to prove the doubters wrong once again against Hrgović. He silenced the critics who questioned his chin and his fighting heart, but it was far from an easy fight. Hrgović, who captured Olympic bronze in 2016, dominated the opening frame and jabbed Dubois to death. But Dubois poured it on when he took his foot off the gas.

Dubois (20-2, KOs) took control of the fight in the second round, connecting with several left hooks and right hands, which opened up a cut over Hrgović’s right eye. It was a downward spiral from there.

The 26-year-old Dubois rocked Hrgović throughout the seventh round, opening up another cut over his left eye and battered him with lefts and rights. After his loss to Usyk, some called for Dubois to find another career, but he has found his calling. His drive and stubborn determination may land him a career-high payday in his next fight.

Joshua-Dubois Next?

Dubois may face former two-time unified titlist Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs). The 2012 Olympic gold medalist is set to return in September at Wembley Stadium. The IBF has yet to decide whether a Joshua-Dubois fight would be for the interim title or the world championship. They allowed Usyk to keep his belt to challenge Tyson Fury in a rematch on December 21 in Riyadh. Joshua, of course, is a massive star. It’ll be interesting to see if a deal can be worked out.

Either way, Dubois has a chance to rewrite the script from a contender to a full world champion.

This article first appeared on Fights Around The World and was syndicated with permission.

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