Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois

The problem with Dubois (and Yarde for the matter) is that they don’t fight between British level and world level. They’ll have a tilt at world level, come up short and then go back 5 steps. They’ll rack up a few wins at a poor level then make the jump back to world level again. They need that ‘middle’ fight if you like.

 

They might find they're not at the middle level either. It turns out Joyce is probably nearer to that middle level and Dubois came up short there.

 

Exactly the same with Joshua in his career since being schooled twice by Usyk.

As soon as he gets in with a live threat, the same issues will arise most likely resulting in defeat then another wasted year fighting soft touches like Franklin, Helenius and Wallin.

Joshua could have fought Wilder last week and really should have started his comeback against a Joyce, Dubois or Bakole.

It is bizarre how someone placed at the top of the ladder due to vacant belts, goes right down to the bottom rung after defeat when he should be taking care of fighters with ambition to challenge for a World Title.

 

Yeah, you are correct about Yarde as well. There seems to be common denominator there. I can't quite put my finger on it.

 

The middle level guys would've been ideal for development, as you say, but they're usually the "trade" fights that don't bring big money but also carry that risk of loss. Frank probably knows their limitations as well if he's honest with himself, knows Dubois and Yarde likely aren't world beaters. Far easier to sell a surprisingly good performance in a loss against a Kovalev or Beterbiev ("he just ran into a killer ... he gave them a tougher fight than x" etc). Yarde's inconsistent as well, imagine if he fought like he did in Arthur 1 against a Vlasov or somebody?

After the Beterbiev fight, a domestic fight like Yarde-Buatsi would likely have been even bigger despite the loss. I suppose that's why he chucks them in.

 

Good point mate, I remember Frank Bruno would also do that. Never learned.

 

Depends how you look at it. Dubios to me has a 50% or worse chance of losing to all the other top 30'ish HW's so me personally would want to get him the biggest possible paying fight. Which is going to be Joshua in a football stadium pronto on PPV. Strike well the irons hot. True you could drop down a level, maybe even have him fight 4 or 5 chaps back to back below even top 30 level but you're still going to end up where he is now anyway looking for the big pay day. His zero is gone now anyway so a defeat to Joshua isn't the end of the World.

He has age on his side true, but I wouldn't say he's an elite prospect where it's worth the extra years of development to protect the asset. He might be able to scoop up £5m now for a fight with Joshua. He may never see that kind of money again for the rest of his career combined.

 

Saudi loot means all the fights of any consequence will now be in Saudi now they have bought boxing.

Would not be surprised if Dubois earned double that figure for his recent fight versus Miller.

A donkey like Jordan Henderson is being paid over £5m per year to go through the motions on the pitch.

 

Over the past 10 years UK promoters have inflated expectations of boxers, headlining for good purses with rubbish fights. Soon as they hit someone decent the wheels came off, but the process moves onto the next guy.

If they only insisted on paying top dollar for proper fights then expectations might be lowered and we might see more of them.

 

Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora fighting on Box Office a good example when both are simply a couple of plodding sluggers.

I blame Eddie Hearn.

 

If they think hes ready for AJ they should think again and put him in with either Joyce again or Ajagba. Then think again.

 

Dubois is too nervous and not enough heart, AJ would obliterate him inside 6 with DDD volunteering to take 3 knees.

 

Big respect to Dubois for exorcising his demons vs Miller but I personally think AJ would ruin him. I couldn’t see it going past 6 rounds. AJ is a level above him and Frank Warren is delusional for publicly calling for the fight to happen. That’s my humble opinion after seeing a lot of fighters get moved to quickly over the years.

 

Absolutely bang on that. Ive been saying that about Yarde for ages. aDubois is a bit different as hes younger but the time is ripe for him. to step it up. Hes not ready for that level yet but should step up from Miller who is his best win. so far. If and when Joyce wins his next one a return might be in order? Joe would never have beat AJ, despite what many were saying. He'd ne the natural next step up for Daniel.