Shane McGuigan believes Daniel Dubois will be ‘dangerous as hell’ in the opening stages of his unified world heavyweight title challenge against undefeated Oleksandr Usyk – but ultimately calls it a puncher’s chance.
Dubois is the first mandatory challenger the Ukrainian will face in this division after winning and retaining the belts against Anthony Joshua.
McGuigan has been in the young Brit’s corner following his loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, but the pair split earlier this year just weeks before the Usyk fight was made official.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, McGuigan praised the power of his former charge and said he had some advantages over Joshua, but said landing on Usyk was a different story.
“It’s a more rugged fight [than Anthony Joshua]. I think he’s a harder puncher. I think he’s more fearless, but more hittable. And not as technically sound and not boxed anywhere near that level. Puncher’s chance? 100% he’s got a puncher’s chance. He’s dangerous as hell for the first four, five rounds.
Once Usyk starts getting his rhythm – if he starts getting his rhythm if he hasn’t been caught in the first three or four rounds – then it’s definitely favoured to an Usyk win. But you cannot write that man [Dubois] off. I’ve never seen people get knocked out like the way he knocks people out. He’s a phenomenal puncher. But you have to land.”
“If [Usyk] can adopt that style as he did with AJ, have that moving style and not let Dan set his feet, I think it will be a one-sided fight. But there’s also that puncher’s chance 100%.”
Dubois split with McGuigan following a reported family dispute, with his sister Caroline staying in the gym.
The 25-year-old now finds himself under the tutelage of Don Charles, a man best known for guiding a large portion of Derek Chisora’s heavyweight campaign.
The fight takes place on August 26 in the 43,000 capacity Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland.