Daniel Dubois on Joe Joyce: “We can get it on after this fight”

Image: Daniel Dubois on Joe Joyce: "We can get it on after this fight"
By Boxing News - 09/24/2019 - Comments

By Robert Addams: Heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois says he’ll be ready to take on WBA Gold heavyweight champion Joe Joyce after he deals with Ebenezer Tetteh this Friday, September 27th in their bout at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Dubois vs. Tetteh will be shown LIVE on BT Sport.

Dubois (12-0, 11 KOs) and the unbeaten 31-year-old Tetteh (19-0, 16 KOs) are fighting for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title.  This is a minor strap, and not the belt that the 22-year-old Dubois really wants. He’s interested in capturing a world heavyweight title, and he feels he’ll soon be ready to take on the champions.

As far as Dubois is concerned, he’s fully prepared to fight lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (29-0-1, 20 KOs) right now. That fight isn’t in the cards for the young Dubois right now, so he’ll have to be satisfied with going after the unbeaten 2016 Olympic silver medalist Joyce (10-0, 9 KOs).

Daniel Dubois wants Otto Wallin fight

Dubois is also interested in facing highly ranked heavyweight contender Otto Wallin (20-1, 13 KOs) after his recent showing against Fury on September 14. Joyce and Wallin are fights that interest Dubois. Whether his promoter Frank Warren can set those matches up is unclear. The boxing public would be more than interested in watching Dubois take on the 6’6″ Joyce or Wallin next, provided that he gets passed Tetteh on Friday.

Dubois ready to fight Joe Joyce after Tetteh

“I’m expecting him to bring his A-game, the best of what he’s got, and I’ll be ready for what he has to bring,” said Dubois to IFL TV about his opponent Tetteh on Saturday. I’ll come forward with another devastating performance and win in style. Definitely, Frank [Warren] has mapped out a path for me, and I’ll be following it. I’m a man on a mission, and my goal is to win the heavyweight world championship. On the path, this is another step. Joe is another challenger out there, and we can get it on after this fight.

“Once I’ve dealt with business on Friday, we can get it on. I’m a warrior. In this game, I don’t back down from no one. It’s a funny thing; people ask me if I’m ready for him [Tyson Fury], and I’m going to say I’m ready. I’m a fighter, so I never back down.

“It’s up to my team and my management to decide when the time’s right, and my dad and my whole family to decide when I’m ready. But I feel like I’m ready pretty soon. I’m still young, I’m 22. So more experience, more learning fights, and more battles that I have to come through starting on Friday,” said Dubois.

Joyce, 34, has been looking good lately in beating Bryant Jennings, Alexander Ustinov, Bermane Stiverne, Joe Hanks and Iago Kiladze. Dubois is rated #7 by the World Boxing Organization and #15 with the IBF.

Dubois plans on making statement against Tetteh

“It’s a journey. I have small steps right now,” said Dubois. “Again, I never back down. I’m a fighter, I’m a warrior, and this is my job and this is my life. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years. I started at the age of five. Whatever challenges they put in front of me, it’s my job to overcome them, and adapt and show what grit I have. I have a good fight on Friday, and I’m going to send a message to the boxing world, and we’ll go from there,” said Dubois.

Tetteh is the ideal opponent for Dubois to make a big impression on the boxing world. Dubois will have a guy that will be standing in front of him swinging for the fences on Friday night, and we could see him win in a spectacular fashion. This is still a risky fight for Dubois though, considering that Tetteh is a big puncher. He’s never lost before, and he’s going to be looking to knockout the youngster with every shot. With the kind of power that Tetteh possesses, he can end the fight with one shot. Dubois will need to be careful.

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Joyce has a lot to lose against Dubois

Despite Dubois’ age, he’s an opponent that can help Joyce’s career if he can beat him. On the flip-side, Joyce’s career could be badly damaged if he loses to Dubois. Losing to a fighter as young as Dubois would be more hurtful for Joyce’s career than if he lost to an older fighter like Dillian Whyte, Dereck Chisora, Alexander Povekin or Kubrat Pulev.  Dubois needs to ask himself whether it’s worth it for him to take on a young guy like Dubois.  If Joyce wins, he won’t get full credit.