Rocky horror: Dubois doesn’t know who Ivan Drago is

Daniel Dubois has responded to Tyson Fury comparing him to Ivan Drago by admitting he has never heard of of the fearsome Rocky IV character.

Drago of course was the Russian heavyweight, played by Dolph Lundgren in the 1985 hit movie, who kills Apollo Creed before finally losing to Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in an epic showdown.

Fury this week compared Dubois – seen by many as the future of the heavyweight division after building a 14-0 professional record – to Drago as he prepares to return from an eight-month absence to face Dutchman Ricardo Snijders on Saturday night.

But the 22-year-old Dubois was not even born when Rocky IV hit cinema screens, and admits he has never heard of Drago.

“I don’t know who Ivan Drago is,” he told the Mirror.

“But, yeah, it’s nice when someone like Tyson Fury praises you. He’s at the top of the tree, the No 1 in the division, so that’s good.

“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. It was the way he beat Wilder the second time and he beat him at his own game. He showed he can win fights any way.

“It doesn’t boost me, though. I don’t need people to say nice things about me to boost my confidence. I’m confident in my ability and what I can achieve if I continue to work hard and listen to those around me.”

Dubois faces Snijders (18-1) on Saturday night after his planned opponent – German Erik Pfeifer (7-0) was ruled out. The bout will take place behind closed doors at BT Sport Studios in Stratford, London.

‘Dynamite’ isn’t worried by the late change of opponent, and is focused on the job at hand with a huge showdown against fellow unbeaten Brit Joe Joyce (11-0) already lined up for Saturday October 24 at London’s O2 Arena.

“The late change has not affected me too badly,” said Dubois, who has 13 stoppages from his 14 wins. “We’re used to this in boxing and I just have to be professional and handle it the best I can.

“When we step in the ring, it will just be me and him. I won’t take him lightly and I know what I have to do.”