By Barry Holbrook: Daniel Dubois says he’s interested in defending his WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte next. Whyte (28-3, 19 KOs) was one of Dubois’ critics following his tenth round knockout loss to Joe Joyce two years ago in 2020.
In that fight, Dubois (18-1, 17 KOs) took a knee and bowed out in the tenth round due to an eye injury. However, a lot of boxing fans felt that Dubois should have waited until the referee or his corner halted the contest.
Whyte is ranked #7 WBA, and #11 IBF and has lost two out of his last three fights. He’s coming off a sixth round stoppage loss to WBC champion Tyson Fury.
Given Whyte’s recent defeats, you can argue that he doesn’t deserve a title shot against Dubois right now. Of course, we all know Dubois vs. Whyte would be a business-level fight, but it looks wrong in terms of sporting value.
Ideally, Whyte should need to pick up a win before being given another crack at a world title.
“I’m very excited about it. I really want to fight,” said Daniel Dubois to The Lowdown about a match against Dillian Whyte. “If that’s the next one, then I’m all up for it.
“It’s the next step in my career and the next step to big names and big fights. I’ve got a belt now. This is the fight that will take me to the next level. Dillian Whyte or any of those types of names, I need to fight him, and I need to beat him.
“100%, these guys saying I’m a quitter. I want to get in the ring and show them how much of a quitter I am. Make them quit. They can make the fight happen.
“It’s what I want now to shut them all up. All the guys that had something to say, I’ll deal with them. Yes, it’s now or never really,” said Dubois when asked if he has the power and experience to beat Whyte.
“If I’m not ready now, I’ll never be ready. This is the prime of my life, and this is my sport, my profession, so whoever I got to beat and take out, I’ve got to do it,” said Dubois.
https://youtu.be/ejSeiNSlQ8U?t=1