| TREVOR BRYAN SUCCESSFULLY defended his WBA world heavyweight title belt on Saturday night before swiftly responding to a message from across the Atlantic sent by one Daniel Dubois. Dubois is in mandatory position and next in line for a shot at the WBA title after the governing body granted Bryan permission for a voluntary defence against the largely unknown Jonathan Guidry. The unbeaten Bryan, 22-0, made harder work of the fight than many probably imagined and the 32-year-old had to rely on the scorecards, which recorded a split decision victory for the New Yorker. Dubois, 17-1, quickly acknowledged his future opponent’s victory before adding ominously: “But you are in my way. See you soon.” Bryan readily accepted his next challenge and indicated that he is prepared for an away fixture for what will be a second defence of the belt he won by defeating Bermane Stiverne at the beginning of last year. “Indeed we will little homie,” responded the executor of 15 KOs. “Cause as I said my campaign overseas will be starting very soon!” Bryan signed off by borrowing the catchphrase of the voluble former heavyweight contender Shannon Briggs. #LetsGoChamp |
Tag: Daniel Dubois
BACK STRONGER PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
| FRANK WARREN today hosted the final press conference ahead of Queensberry’s big card at Telford International Centre on Saturday (June 5), live on BT Sport 1 from 7pm. Top of the bill sees Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14 KOs) return after his injury defeat against Joe Joyce last November. The Londoner challenges Romanian Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim Heavyweight title. Also on the card is Light-Heavyweight hope Tommy Fury (5-0, 4 KOs) who boxes Hamilton’s Jordan Grant (2-0) over four rounds. Here are a selection of quotes from today’s event: FRANK WARREN: There is a lot on the line. It was very unfortunate how it panned out for Daniel against Joe Joyce, but he is a young man and still has a lot to give. It is for Daniel to show he is the man coming through and we will find out more on Saturday. He is up against a very tough opponent and looking at Bogdan he appears as fit as a butcher’s dog. We have two big, very fit and hard-hitting heavyweights here and you will see something special. I hope it goes the way we want and Daniel re-establishes himself. The winner will be in good stead to fight for the WBA title fight at some time next year. Although we’re only allowed 1000 fans in the atmosphere will be great and it is brilliant that they’re back. FRANK ON TOMMY FURY: You can play sport, but not boxing and Tommy has the dedication, but he is still a novice and needs to learn his craft. If he keeps moving forward he will get into a good position. He is not going to be rushed. His Dad won’t let me rush Tommy and I’m not going to argue with him. We will make the right moves at the right time. I appreciate what Jake Paul has done with no amateur experience and all these followers. He has monetised that through boxing and good luck to him, but if he wants to fight Tommy that fight is there every day of the week. The level Tommy is at now is a level above Jake. If Jake wants that fight, he isn’t even pushing an open door. The hinges are off and he just needs to walk in and we will do it. I will carry Tommy there for the fight. It’s a no brainer and the general public will watch it. Tommy also has a big following, is Tyson’s brother and brings a lot to the table. DANIEL DUBOIS: I have teamed up with Shane and I believe I am better than before. I wanted to train with Shane. I believe he is a top trainer, one of the best and has had World champions. I wanted someone with that experience. This is the fight I needed to come back with where I can perform and get the devastating win that I need to show I am back. I needed a test and didn’t want to come back with a soft touch. I have had that experience. It’s now the next step in my journey. BOGDAN DINU: My experience will be the difference. I am happy to fight in the UK because it is the best place for boxing right now. I am happy to be here for a big fight. I have the opportunity to fight for this belt. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. I am coming to win, take the belt and go home. TOMMY FURY: Miami was unbelievable with Tyson. Whatever he does is big and huge. The real reason I went was to gain world class experience. It was a great experience because you would walk in a gym and be surrounded by world class. It has benefitted me as a fighter. Being with Tyson is motivation and if I apply myself I can get to that level. No one puts a gun to my head saying I have to box on Saturday. I do it because I love it. I set myself a goal as a very young lad and I will see that goal out. It is going to be a long hard road. You’re going to get hit harder than anyone else can hit you, but I am ready to get back up and keep going. If Jake Paul gets in the ring with me it will be dangerous for him, but keep fighting these clowns he’s fighting and it’s not going to be dangerous for him. He is a cunning man. He has earned a lot of money and if there was any chance of Tyron Woodley beating Jake Paul that contract wouldn’t have got signed. Why would Jake Paul put himself in a position where he is going to get knocked spark out? He is not going to fight anybody who will test him because he doesn’t need to. He is making a fortune from YouTube. Why is he going to get his teeth knocked out for nothing? These MMA guys will fight him all day. They earn £300,000 for MMA and can get three or four million for fighting him. If it comes it comes because it is easy money. I am not going to focus on Jake Paul. Saturday night is where my mind is and I have a job to do. I want to show improvement and that is what you are going to see on Saturday. I put my heart and soul into this. As long as I get the W and show even 0.01 per-cent of improvement in each fight I’m happy. Why? Because I’m learning. I am going to dedicate myself to get there. I have a burning desire to do it. It is great to be back in front of fans and even if there was only five people it would make a difference. Other fights on the bill. Belfast’s Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win when he boxes Mexican Ernesto Olvera (11-6-1, 3 KOs) Stoke-on-Trent’s hugely popular Middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs). Unbeaten English Bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs) faces Bulgaria’s Stefan Slavchev (11-38-2, 4 KOs). Featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) boxes a four rounder against Luke Fash (2-59-2). Also on the show is 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry. |
DUBOIS: “I FEEL LIKE I’M STARTING MY PRO CAREER AGAIN”
| THE HEAVYWEIGHT COLOSSUS Daniel Dubois has revealed that he feels like he is starting his professional career all over again as he closes in on his date with Bogdan Dinu with the WBA Interim title at stake on June 5. Dubois, of course, suffered the unfamiliar sensation of defeat at the back end of November when he entered into a heavy duty domestic duel with Joe Joyce with multiple titles on the line, including the British and European. The 23-year-old, who had previously picked up nine championship belts in 15 fights, was considered by many to be the irresistible force of the heavyweight division, with the 2016 Olympic silver medallist believed to be a notable obstacle along his reign of terror that saw 14 of his opponents vanquished via stoppage. The 35-year-old Joyce, a far more seasoned campaigner in the sport, had other ideas and brought his know-how to the fore in repelling the Dubois onslaughts, while picking him off with speedy and telling jabs to the eye of his younger opposition. It was those measured and powerful prods from the left hand of Joyce that caused a grisly injury to Dubois’ left eye that ultimately resulted in him taking himself out of the line of fire in the 10th round of a close contest in which he was actually up on the cards. So, instead of sitting back admiring his lofty ranking with the WBO and jostling for a seat at the top table, Dubois was left to lick his wounds and await medical reports over the severity of his injury. He was also left to ponder what went wrong and reconcile himself to the fact he would be embarking on a rebuild. Dubois admits reconciliation was not instant. “You know it took a few weeks actually, I must be honest,” he conceded. “Just to reflect, look back and slow everything down again, to pick up the pieces and start putting them back into place. I made decisions about the team, how we are going to move forward and what the next step is.” A step the bright young heavy insists did not include sulking, even though the taste of defeat was far from familiar. “I was doing a lot of things, picking up different sports like playing tennis and we’ve got a pool table at home, so I was doing a bit of that. “I needed to shake the feeling off that a loss brings. It is a down feeling and I needed to overcome it to come forward and see the light. “The last time I lost was an amateur, it was a good few years ago, when I was 16, probably. When you are a pro and the whole world is getting to see your vulnerabilities, it is interesting, you know. It is a proper sport this boxing. “You have to ride with it and now I am back again and ready to come back stronger. I’ve looked at it, examined it, now I am ready to push on again, iron out my mistakes and put it right.” During his period of contemplation Dubois reveals he harboured no doubts over his future participation in the sport, pointing out that his taking a knee maintained his own grip on his future plans rather than relying on medical opinion to continue. “No, I was honestly too busy feeling bad to think about that. Once I collected myself and pulled myself together, not once did I have doubts over whether I would be coming back. “Maybe it turned out right that I made the decision I did. “There was a break from everything, but I am used to being in the gym. Usually after fights it is ‘who is next?’ but that slowed down a bit and now is the time to start again in life. I feel like I am starting my pro career again, as if I am an amateur just turning professional. “That for me is great – a fresh start. There is no better feeling than the beginning.” Daniel Dubois (15-1, 14KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday June 5 when he takes on Bogdan Dinu (20-2, 16KOs) for the WBA Interim heavyweight title. Light heavyweight favourite Tommy Fury is also in action in his sixth fight as a professional. WBO ranked number four featherweight, Archie Sharp (19-0, 9 KOs) returns in his first fight under new trainer Alan Smith, while Belfast Middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko (8-0, 5 KOs) will be aiming for his fifth successive inside the distance win. Stoke-on-Trent’s huge popular middleweight Nathan Heaney (11-0, 3 KOs) has his second fight under the Queensberry banner when he meets Bulgarian Iliyan Markov (6-14-2, 3 KOs). Also on the show are unbeaten English bantamweight champion Liam Davies (8-0, 3 KOs), featherweight Adan Mohamed (1-0) and 18-year-old decorated amateur George Bance, who makes his professional debut after signing with Queensberry. |
DUBOIS SETS SIGHTS ON DINU
After a whirlwind few days where young Heavyweight superstar Daniel Dubois has been unexpectedly thrust back into the media spotlight, ‘Dynamite’ has now said it is “time to move on”.
Daniel was last seen in the ring on November 28 when he suffered a horrific eye injury at the hands of Joe Joyce.
In the wake of that shock defeat internet trolls, and even some within boxing, were keen to put the boot in on Dubois by questioning his decision to take a knee and end the bout.
One such figure was Billy Joe Saunders, who was vociferous in his criticism of the 23-year-old mild-mannered bruiser.
Those remarks would come back to bite Bill, who would fall to Canelo Alvarez after suffering a very similar injury.
Daniel says he understands why the fans and press alike have jumped on this ironic twist of fate but has insisted it is time to move on.
The ever-classy Dubois said: “I understand why everyone has wanted to make comparisons between me and Billy, but it’s time to move on now.
”Saunders is currently awaiting treatment at a hospital in Dallas and Dubois says it’s time to give him space to recover and regroup.
“Billy has had his injury, people have said what they’ve had to say but now it’s time to let him rest, heal and be with his family.
“It’s important for me to move on too. I’ve got a fight on June 5th with Bogdan Dinu that I need to get ready for.
”The Heavyweight collision with Romania’s Bogdan Dinu will be Dubois’ first taste of action since suffering his injury and he is keen to put the memories of that fateful night behind him.
“Over six months of frustrations are ready to come out. You are going to see the best version of Daniel Dubois in that ring on June 5th. I will beat Bogdan Dinu up and knock him out.”
Some may have expected young ‘Dynamite’ to have taken an easier fight for his return, but Dubois was keen to jump back in the mix and take on #2 ranked WBA Heavyweight Dinu with the WBA Interim title on the line.
“Dinu is a decent test. He does some things very well. He has fast hands and can move. He’s ranked #2 for a reason, and he’ll see this as a chance to get a title.”
Whilst Dubois is keen to move on from both the events of this past weekend in Texas and his own defeat in November last year, he understands that the only way to truly do that is deliver something spectacular in the ring.
At just 23-years-old, he will be looking to add a 15th career KO to his record and improve to 16-1 as a professional.
Dubois is fully aware of the question marks that surround him after the nature of his last defeat and he is confident he has all the answers.“I need to do what I do, show people why they called me ‘Dynamite’ in the first place” Dubois said, “It’ll be a devastating performance, I promise you. A huge knockout to put myself back on the map.”
‘BACK STRONGER: DUBOIS vs DINU’ IS LIVE ON BT SPORT 1 HD ON SATURDAY JUNE 5th
FOR THE FANS: DUBOIS vs JOYCE TO LAND ON NOV 28th, LIVE ON BT SPORT
| HALL-OF-FAME Promoter Frank Warren has today revealed the highly anticipated Heavyweight battle between Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce will land on Nov 28th, live on BT Sport. In an incredible reversal, the fight – the most significant domestic bout staged in the UK post-Lockdown and the biggest domestic Heavyweight clash in years – will now NOT be on pay-per-view. The blockbuster November event, branded with the apt tagline ‘At Last’, will represent the final chapter in a saga that has seen April, July and October dates cancelled because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Warren was keen to point out that the COVID outbreak and its negative effect on UK jobs and livelihoods was on his mind as he decided to scrap plans to make the fight PPV. He said: “This is about keeping boxing alive and relevant at a tough time and doing something for the fans and we have moved heaven and earth to put this on as a BT Sport subscription Fight Night instead.” “With boxing still being behind closed doors and struggling back to its feet post-Lockdown, I wanted to give something of a gift to British boxing fans. Dubois versus Joyce is the best fight on the British boxing calendar and I want this to be something as many people as possible can enjoy. It’s a bonus that the added exposure gained from the fight will really help the boxers as they move forward with their careers. “Above all, this is about making sure that the fans are looked after and this fight will be available to BT Sport subscribers. Queensberry and BT Sport are looking forward to delivering a huge night of boxing, so let’s make sure the eyes of the country, and the world, are on British boxing come November 28th. “I owe a huge debt of gratitude to BT Sport for being willing to make this happen. “I sound like a broken record I’m sure, but sometimes you have to put the sport and the fans first. Queensberry gets that and BT Sport gets that. ‘For the fans’, it’s what it’s all about.” |
