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By Kenneth Friedman:  Tyson Fury is high on Daniel Dubois and feels he’s destined to be a future heavyweight world champion. Fury even compared the 22-year-old Dubois (14-0, 13 KOs) to the character ‘Ivan Drago’ from Rocky 4 movie starring Sylvester Stallone.

The 6’5″, 240+ pound Dubois isn’t sure who Drago is, but he’s glad that WBC heavyweight champion Fury complimenting him.

Dubois is facing Ricardo Snijders (18-1, 8  KOs) tonight in a fight behind closed doors at the BT Sport studio in Stratford. Snijders is taking the place of German heavyweight Eric Pfeifer, who had a medical problem and couldn’t face Dubois.

Dubois impressed with Fury

Dubois is being groomed to challenge for a world title eventually. If he gets past Snijders tonight, he’ll be facing Joe Joyce later this year on October 24 at the O2 Arena in London, UK.

That’s a match that will open the doors for more essential fights against top contenders and later a title shot against the last man standing. That could be Fury if he defeats IBF/WBA/WBO champion Anthony Joshua next year.

“I don’t know who Ivan Drago is,” Dubois said to The Mirror. ‘But it’s nice when someone like Tyson Fury praises you. He’s someone I like as a fighter.

“He beat the man in Wladimir Klitschko to become world champion the first time and then he beat Deontay Wilder to do it again.

“He’s at the top of the tree, the No 1 in the division, so that’s good.”

Dubois will be looking to score his sixth consecutive knockout tonight against the 26-year-old Snijders. Daniel’s WBO International heavyweight title will be on the line for this 12-round fight.

Snijders likely won’t make it past the second round, as Dubois has been scoring a lot of fast KO victories lately, and tonight’s opponent isn’t on the same level as the guys he’s been beating.

We probably get a chance to see how good Dubois is until he shares the ring with one of the talented heavyweights in the division like Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin, or Filip Hrgovic.

Daniel could scare away his opponents

If Dubois looks too good in beating Snijders and Joyce, he may scare off the top contenders in the division. In that case, fans won’t get the opportunity to see him tested in a real way until he challenges for a world title against the likes of Fury or Joshua.

It would be a shame if Dubois has to wait that long before he faces one of the talented fighters in the division, but that’s how it is in boxing. Promoters don’t like to take risks with their fighters unless they’re being offered a title shot, and even then, they don’t always take the fights.

“I’m confident in my ability and what I can achieve if I continue to work hard and listen to those around me,” said Dubois.

Being complimented by Fury is a good deal, but Dubois doesn’t need to be flattered to raise his self-confidence. He already believes in himself, and he’s ready to take on the best when the chance.