Heavyweight title contender, Joe Joyce, has laughed off Daniel Dubois’ chances against unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, who Joyce faced in the amateurs.
As WBA Regular champion, Dubois is the mandatory challenger for the WBA world title, currently held by Usyk. Former opponent, Joyce, believes that Dubois would have little chance of winning the belt, if he were to face the Ukrainian for it.
In an interview with Queensberry Promotions, ‘The Juggernaut’ claimed that Dubois struggled to hit him when they fought in 2020, so would find it difficult to time a notoriously slippery opponent.
Joyce even went on to reveal rumours about an underwhelming sparring session against Tyson Fury, back when the WBC champion was on his road to recovery.
“Usyk would pepper him [Dubois]. He couldn’t hit me, how is he going to hit Usyk!?
Fury slapped him about apparently, when he was overweight!
Joyce did however go on to recognise the power possessed by Dubois.
“Dubois is very powerful and he can knock people over and he has got plenty of time to learn, but he is at the top now as WBA Regular [champion]. Styles make fights and, on his day, he can knock over a good few.”
‘Dynamite’ Dubois has consistently called for another shot at Joyce, but ‘Big Joe’s’ stock has risen following an impressive performance against Joseph Parker.
Many fans now see Joyce as the third best heavyweight behind the two belt holders, meaning Dubois may require the allure of a world title in order to make the fight happen.
Although he’s next inline to face the winner of Fury-Usyk, belts are expected to become vacant, as is usual after an undisputed champion is crowned, so who knows, we may still see Joyce-Dubois 2 in 2023.
