For followers of heavyweight boxing, the clash between unbeaten contenders Daniel Dubois (15-0, 14 KOs) and Joe Joyce (11-0, 10 KOs) promises to be the most intriguing clash remaining in 2020.
The bout at the O2 Arena has been repeatedly pushed back since the onset of the Coronavirus and is currently pencilled in for October 24 though expected to be rearranged for November 21 or 28 to allow fans to attend.
Promoter Frank Warren strongly believes the winner will be first in line to fight the victor of the proposed two-fight series between WBA Super, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and WBC king Tyson Fury who are provisionally scheduled to meet in 2021, subject to their negotiation of contracted fights with Kubrat Pulev and Deontay Wilder respectively.
“The winner of that fight will surely be a mandatory for a world title next year,” Warren told The Daily Star. “The hope is that Tyson Fury faces Anthony Joshua twice in 2021 for all the belts in the biggest fight in British boxing. But the winner of Dubois against Joyce will be front of the queue for the fighter who comes out on top of the undisputed clash.
“Taking [Dubois] all the way to the top will be such a fantastic success story. I’ve had many champions over the years who we have built up into worldwide superstars. Dubois has got it all to follow in their footsteps for sure and I’ve never met someone so dedicated to fulfilling their potential. The Londoner came on to my radar before anyone else had really heard of him and we decided to take him as a teenager. We knew we were getting a special talent but the worth ethic from him is second to none.
“While many people’s lives have been changed by lockdown, it won’t have made much difference to Dubois. He won’t have been allowed in a gym for a few months but he will have spent every waking hour either training or thinking about boxing. Some have ability but lack the work ethic, while others lack talent but make up for it by giving their all but Dubois has both the skills and the willingness to work harder than anyone.”