Matchroom Promoter, Eddie Hearn, has highlighted the key factor behind why he believes Daniel Dubois could struggle in his unified heavyweight title challenge against Oleksandr Usyk next month.
Hearn promoted Usyk’s victories against Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and twice Anthony Joshua, but now the Ukrainian has moved away from conquering the Matchroom stable in order to take on the WBA mandatory challenger, Dubois.
At just 24-years-old, Dubois is still seen as an up-and-comer to some fans, but will face the elite Usyk in his first ever world title fight.
In an interview with Seconds Out, Hearn gave little chance to the hard-hitting Brit, with a worry that the occasion may get to him.
“Dubois has a massive size advantage, as did AJ, but you’ve got to make it count. He’s a very big puncher, Daniel Dubois, but my worry is a few things, if I’m analysing it, not as a hater or as a rival promoter, but I wonder how he can prepare for that fight, mentally. How will he deal with the moment, the occasion and facing Oleksandr Usyk, mentally?”
“I saw Joe Joyce outbox him and break him down mentally in the fight, that is unbelievably worrying when you’re about to fight Oleksandr Usyk. Every fighter that I know, that has fought Usyk, has said the same thing about how he drains them mentally, with his feet, his presence and his movement.”
“I don’t see Daniel Dubois winning one round of the fight, but can he win the fight? Yeah, he does have the power to win those fights and I hope he does, but I think that it’s a big ask.”
Usyk will make this second defence of his WBA, WBO & IBF heavyweight titles on August 26, taking on Dubois in Wrocław, Poland, headlining a card that will be available to watch live on TNT Sports pay-per-view for UK fans.