Daniel Dubois will not be having a gentle tune-up fight as he returns to boxing on June 5 – instead he’ll challenge Bogdan Dinu for the WBA interim heavyweight title.
‘Dynamite’ (15-1) lost his unbeaten professional record when he was knocked out by fellow British prospect Joe Joyce last November. He sustained a fractured eye socket in the process.
Dubois has point to prove
Before that the 23-year-old Dubois had been the most exciting youngster in a booming heavyweight division, but now he has a point to prove. The 34-year-old Dinu (20-2 with 16 KOs) will provide a stiff test on his return to the ring – his only defeats so far have come at high level, against Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller and Anthony Joshua victim Kubrat Pulev.
“I am excited to be back in the ring on June 5 after the frustration of being kept out of the gym and doing what I love to do for a number of months after my last fight,” said Dubois.
“This is my chance to remind people of what I am really about, which is winning fights in a devastating fashion. I don’t need to make any excuses for the Joe fight because everybody could see the issue with my vision, but Joe won fair and square and we move on.
“Time is on my side but I don’t intend to slow down my progress and I am more than happy to be returning to the ring in a big title fight that puts me right back in the picture.
“I respect Dinu and accept that he could provide a tough test, but I can only see one outcome and that is me leaving the ring with another major championship belt for my collection.”
Dinu knows this is a great opportunity for him as well, and is ready for whatever Dubois can throw at him.
“This is the most important fight for me and I will be prepared for a war in the ring. It’s my perfect moment to win and to get to the big fights. I’m fighting in London to become the first Romanian heavyweight champion of the world.”
Warren keeps the faith
Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren retains utmost faith in his man and believes he will pass this test with flying colours.
“It is an opportunity for Daniel to post a ‘business as usual’ statement to the public and the rest of the heavyweight division following his setback against Joe.
“Daniel’s enthusiasm to reach the very top has not diminished in the slightest and, even though it is a bit of an old cliche, it is true that he will only learn and benefit from the experience of taking a first loss and rebuilding from it.”
