Daniel Dubois looked back to his best Saturday night in Telford as ‘DDD’ demolished and dispatched of Bogdan Dinu inside two rounds to claim the WBA interim world heavyweight title.
Many were questioning how the eye injury to Dubois, inflicted by Joe Joyce seven months ago, would hold up during the bout. There seemed little worry for the 23-year-old although he did concede that it played on his mind heading into the fight.
However, ‘Dynamite’ did what he had to do and certainly lived up to the alias. Boom went the right hand, landing on the chin of Dinu, seating the Romanian on the canvas as the referee’s count had begun. It was all over, 31 seconds into round number two and Dubois was firmly back in the driving seat.
Looking forward Daniel will be eager to have a full camp under the tutelage of his newly assigned coach, Shane McGuigan at their gym in Canterbury.
Dubois has made it known that he wants to rematch Joe Joyce in the future however, this certainly will not happen next and may not even happen for another two or three fights.
Another name Triple D will aim for is Anthony Joshua who holds the WBA Super title but, again it won’t happen next as AJ looks to an Usyk fight followed by the possibility of two Tyson Fury bouts.
Who could be the targets for Dubois going forward?
Trevor Bryan
The WBA world champion, not to be confused with Anthony Joshua and his ‘super’ world title, has been named as the stand out option for Dubois by his promoter, Frank Warren.
Bryan has only had one fight in almost three years, somehow maintaining his mandatory status with the governing body which lead to his clash with Bermane Stiverne in January.
Getting the fight made itself was a circus as Bryan was due to face Mahmoud Charr before visa issues intervened leaving the title vacant and to be fought for between the American and Stiverne.
Both Warren and Joyce should be extremely confident of being victorious should this bout get made. Although undefeated in 21 fights Bryan has still yet to fight anyone of Dubois’ calibre.
Robert Helenius
‘The Nordic Nightmare’ would be a viable opponent should the Trevor Bryan fight not get made.
Helenius currently holds the WBA gold title which has provided him with a good ranking with the organisation.
The Finn is coming off the back of a career best win after stopping Adam Kownacki in four rounds. A rematch was mooted but nothing has come to fruition as of yet.
Helenius is no stranger to a British heavyweight having fought Derek Chisora, Michael Sprott and Dillian Whyte during his illustrious career and Dubois would be a welcome opportunity should the Kownacki rematch not get made.
Mahmoud Charr
The former WBA world titleholder, and current champion in recess, is coming off the back of a stoppage win over Christopher Lovejoy, the next coming of Muhammad Ali if you believed what he said.
Charr stopped the American in the second round and at the age of 36 could be looking for a healthy pay cheque before hanging up his gloves.
Dubois would certainly fancy his chances against the Syrian who has lost each time he has stepped up in opposition.
