Daniel Dubois did not seem like a future heavyweight champion when he was counted out in the ninth round against Oleksandr Usyk in Poland last year. However, ten months and two victories later, Dubois is once again looking to etch his name among the elite.

Dubois' Power and Newfound Experience

Dubois has always been known for his power, capable of troubling any opponent. But now, he is adding experience to his arsenal. The heavyweight division lacks many superstars in terms of pure talent, which is why Usyk stands at the top. Usyk himself has expressed a desire to return to the cruiserweight division after his rematch with Tyson Fury, acknowledging his origins.

The Hrgovic Fight: A Turning Point?

Filip Hrgovic was winning their fight in Saudi Arabia last week until he got cut. Dubois, however, took Hrgovic's shots well and never looked hurt. He beat Hrgovic without being spectacular, showcasing a certain degree of improvement. Boxing is more than brute force; it's a chess game played with fists. Dubois has always had a tendency to be too eager, throwing bombs like he's on a mission. This approach can be disastrous against top-tier opponents.

Lessons from Past Battles

Dubois learned a harsh lesson against Joe Joyce, a fight he was expected to win. He went in all guns blazing, leaving himself wide open to Joyce's relentless forward movement. Though he was stopped against Usyk, he seemed to have learned something valuable, which helped in the Hrgovic fight. Dubois took some blows but never lost heart, working out a way to win.

The Joshua Challenge

Now, Dubois is in line for a shot at Anthony Joshua. If he can get through to Joshua's chin, it’s game on. Joshua is the more complete fighter, marginally quicker, and has impressively rebuilt himself since his losses to Usyk. However, there is still a chink in Joshua's armor first exposed by Andy Ruiz, making him vulnerable to Dubois' power. Should the IBF strip Usyk for not making a mandatory defense, the proposed September date between Dubois and Joshua becomes far more significant, with the vacant IBF belt on the line. While most would still favor Joshua, nothing is certain if Dubois can back up his Hrgovic victory with another mature performance.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova