Daniel Dubois Next Fight: ‘Dynamite’ sets off on the long road back after Usyk

You can never accuse Daniel Dubois of cowardice. With a newly-won IBF heavyweight championship claimed in a career-best win over Anthony Joshua, 'Dynamite' did not rest on his laurels. Despite suffering a stoppage loss to the Ukrainian two years earlier, Dubois took on unified and lineal heavyweight kingpin Oleksandr Usyk in July.

A fifth-round knockout defeat at Wembley poured ice water on Dubois' hot streak. So what now for the former champion? Still only 28 years old, there is plenty left to do for 'Triple D'. Read on as we try and pick out Daniel Dubois' next fight.

Few agreed with his methods, but Dubois knew how to get what he wanted. The reigning IBF champion watched from ringside as old rival Usyk conquered Tyson Fury for the second time in Riyadh last December. The first fight had been for the undisputed title in May. But the IBF had swiftly stripped the Ukrainian king and Dubois was upgraded to full championship status.

After defending the belt in a stunning fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua, Dubois felt like he belonged at the front of the queue. Usyk had stopped him in nine rounds in August 2023, but Dubois and his team had long-insisted the champion was helped by being given time to recover from a low blow that the Brit and his kin claimed was a legal shot.

Whatever your take is on that situation, Dubois felt sufficiently emboldened to hop into the ring after Usyk’s victory over ‘The Gypsy King’ and stake his claim for an undisputed title fight. Usyk agreed, being a man who has never backed down from any challenge during a glorious career. But critics scoffed.

Ruffled fans and jilted journos did not doubt Dubois’ ability. Wins over Joshua as well as Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic in recent fights had shown his skill, power and mettle. But at the time of his WWE-like interference, Dubois was already scheduled to defend his title against Joseph Parker.

The Kiwi had been on a run unlike anyone in the division, scoring massive upsets over Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder along the way. When Dubois pulled out of their scheduled February fight with an illness, few were surprised. Far be it from anyone to doubt the veracity of Daniel’s ailment, but the timing seemed suspect. The lack of a rescheduled crack for Parker even more.

But you can’t knock the hustle. Dubois and Queensberry Promotions expertly used that doubt surrounding the low-or-was-it-blow to stir the pot for a rematch at the national stadium. The hype never threatened to go full-Misfits Boxing but it was tetchy. Members of Dubois’ team intent on winding up Usyk, who remained the coolly-terrifying customer he always is. After the fight it felt like a grave mistake to have poked this particular bear. 

A better Dubois ostensibly entered the ring this past July for the biggest fight of his life. His three victories since the first meeting had come against big names in excellent performances. Disregarding the controversy, Usyk had taken a while to adjust to ‘Dynamite’ in 2023. Surely a more-accomplished Dubois would take advantage of Usyk having endured two brutal fights with Fury in the interim?

The short answer is; he didn’t. Usyk was superb on the night, eviscerating Dubois in his own backyard. The performance was so complete that far too many giddy comparisons were made in the aftermath. You think what you like, but this scribe needs to see a bit more to put the brilliant ‘Cat’ above Muhammad Ali.

It was the sort of defeat you do not just shrug off. Dubois’ next move needs to be carefully calculated. Changes must be made. Promoter Frank Warren has already gone on record to say that an alleged 70-person gathering at Dubois’ house on the afternoon of the Usyk fight, believed to have been organised by the fighter’s father, cannot happen again. The event led to Dubois arriving just 80 minutes before bell time. 

There will also be a shift in the Dubois corner. Trainer Don Charles will no longer be working with the former IBF and WBA ‘regular’ titlist. Reports suggest Tony Sims will be taking over in the corner. The Essex-based coach can count Conor Benn among his charges while he also guided former world kings Ricky Burns and Darren Barker. But, most pertinently, he was Joshua’s first professional trainer, guiding the Olympian to his first world title.

With sensible moves being made behind the scenes, it now comes down to who will be stood in the opposite corner. Dubois has never shirked a challenge. You have to go back to 2021, a first-round knockout of Joe Cusumano in Cleveland, to find his last opponent who has never either challenged for a world title or held one. Apart from Parker, who the Brit jilted for the Usyk rematch, I’d argue there isn’t a non-champion in the division who has had a harder run in recent years.

I would argue that needs to pause in Dubois’ next fight. I’d never advocate for a novice foe or even a journeyman. But ‘Dynamite’ needs someone eminently hittable across from him next time out. Rebuild the confidence, win back the public. Dubois is only 28 and his record and achievements show he is a very good heavyweight. Getting a hiding from a top contender in his next bout could derail a fine career.

The Joshua rematch will be tempting for various reasons. AJ has not fought since Dubois KO’ed him a year ago, meaning Dubois would be the fresher man. There is also the mental edge of having won the first fight in brutal fashion. Joshua would also bring in a lot of money. Cynical, perhaps. But boxing is a short career and there is a lot to be said for making hay while the sun shines.

If AJ is elusive, there are other options. Dave Allen is about to rumble with Arslanbek Makhmudov in October. The winner, or even the loser, of that fight would be a good comeback fight. Allen shifts tickets and is a huge fan favourite, but has enough limitations to embolden Dubois. Makhmudov is well-rounded but has been stopped by Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello in two of his last three outings. 

Sticking with British contenders, David Adeleye could appeal. The former British heavyweight champion’s stock rose in a spirited defeat to Hrgovic in August. Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV meet at the end of October for that same belt. The victor also offers a road back that would sell tickets without selling Dan down the river.