Daniel Dubois vs Frank Bruno

....but, Dan has beaten Miller, Hergy, AJ and Wardley, all top ranked fighters to bolster his standing. Even if he'd not won a title at all, I'd suggest he's a hard night for Frank, and I say that respectfully as I'm one of Frank's biggest fans.

 

But that's not what I'm saying though.

I'm just saying I consider Dubois to be more of a contender rather than an actual legit belt holder.

He's only won his belts because Usyk decided to vacate the belts.

And whilst Dubois has beaten better names overall it has to be said that Bruno was facing considerably tougher opposition overall in his title shots.

Would a green Dubois beat Bonecrusher ? Debatable.

Would Dubois beat Tyson x2, Lewis, Witherspoon, highly doubtful.

So some context needs to be applied here.

 

Of that list, I think Dubois at the same stage of his career could have beaten the Smith Bruno beat. I think he'd have given Tyson a bloody good go because styles make fights, and to run with your comparison, if he fought Tyson in his first defence, the Tyson Bruno fought the second time, I think Dan stops him. Bruno should have but goodness knows how many demons he had in that ring with him that night. Witherspoon I think beats any version of Dubois, a clever boxer with decent power who could manage Dan's style. Again, Styles make fights. Lewis? Bruno boxed his ears off at the stages they were at when they met but got careless. If it's that Lennox I make it a similar 50/50 to when he and Frank fought, and I'd likely have favoured Lewis because he hadn't been sparked at that point. But it would be a slim favourite. I think Dubois has every chance of stopping Lennie in a similar fight to the Vitali one only Dan hits much harder.


But yes, I see your point. I may be guilty of over rating Dubois but its not recency bias, I have always rated his boxing ability and like the kid. I took Joyce to beat him way back when and the only thing that has changed in my opinion of him is his boxing brain. When plan a isn't working a door to a dark room full of doubt opens in his mind. And he steps in. In that regard he and Frank are very well matched.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, guid craic, peace and love always, Px

 

Similar attributes and weaknesses.

Weight aside, Dubois has a larger frame, and is more consistently aggressive than Bruno ever was.

There's a range of results where Bruno could certainly get Dubois out of there, but I think it's most likely that Dubois wins a shootout. There's a mental edge he has when throwing bombs that Bruno never had. You feel a lot more confident in his ability to commit to a war and see it through.

Bruno did come through the Cummings scare, but otherwise once you caught him he was done. Dubois has shown himself to be dangerous when hurt, and more able to get off the deck and win.

 

Witherspoon appeared to be badly out of shape against Bruno. Why wouldn't Dubois be favored over that version?

 

Couldn't resist taking a look at Bruno walk through Coetzee again.

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In a section of the action that lasts less than a minute, we see an aggressive Bruno hit harder and, frankly (pun intended), demonstrate more skill than Dubois generally does over several rounds.

He measures Coetzee beautifully for the first right cross that puts the The Boksburg Bomber down; doesn't rush in like a fool, gets back to measuring the distance again; triple jabs hims to force him back; measures him up again; one-twos him (another lovely right cross); roughs him up a bit, in close; resets and then just marches on to drop him with a tight right hook.

The more I think about it, the more I reckon that Bruno would hurt Daniel – pretty badly.

 

I'm a big fan of both men and it would be a great fight for sure. I think Daniel shows a lot of the same patience Bruno showed there, and has done throughout his career. He is an efficient, careful finisher. Only really seen him 'swarm' v AJ but I think the occasion got to him that night!!

 

Fan of both as my posting history shows.

No one has yet mentioned Dubois if hurt, happy to take a count. Bruno never ever did, would try and hold and that could be the difference maker in this match up. If buzzed Bruno, rarely recovered.

Both would potentially be hurt, who reacts with the smarts to take a count? Dubois at least, gives himself a chance to regroup.

 

I would probably make Dubois a slight favorite but not to the extent of betting money on it. Frank Bruno was a very good fighter. Good jab, hard right cross, power in every shot and always in shape. But I don’t think he had the skill or mobility to do what Usyk did to Dubois. Daniel’s loss to Joe Joyce came when he was very young and green and against a very large and powerful heavyweight .

 

This is a good breakdown. Dubois has a chance if it goes deep. Both were inconsistent in their efforts. Although AJ had an even better 1/2 and he didn’t stop him but I think Dubois was energized by the early knock down. If he doesn’t get an early knock down he may get discouraged

 

The thing is about Bonecrusher he was very durable.

I remember the 1st fight against Witherspoon he took over 300+ punches.

Which is quite remarkable for a Heavyweight to take that many punches especially since Witherspoon could hit with that overhand right.

Bonecrusher would make Dubois dig deep IMO.

So I think it's debatable a green Dubois would beat Bonecrusher but I guess that's up for debate.

I don't see Dubois having much success against a prime Tyson.

Bruno had very little success against Tyson and Dubois is too stiff with no head movement I think he'd get blasted out in the middle rounds.

As for Tyson in the 90s ? Again I'd still favour Tyson.

Yeah Tyson wasn't the force he was in the 90s but he was still highly dangerous in the 1st half of a fight.

And Holyfield had to fight a perfect gameplan tying up Tyson on the inside being very crafty and clever.

I don't believe Dubois has those ingredients to fight that type of fight on the inside so I still think Dubois would lose to a mid 90s Tyson.

I agree Dubois would have a punchers chance against an early 90s Lewis who was not a technical and defensive in his latter years.

But a more aggressive Lewis also means it would be highly dangerous for Dubois aswell.

If Wardley with his telegraphed right hands had Dubois down twice then I think Lewis could do one better and finish the job.

Look how dangerous and explosive Lewis was with counter right hands against Ruddock who was a big puncher.

So whilst I agree Dubois would have a punchers chance I'd still make Lewis a considerable favourite.

 

All good points man!

 

Study up and you will find out Witherspoon did indeed look badly out of shape, but wasn't. The truth is out there.

 

Smith stopped Bruno.

 

I can really picture Bruno walking into a restaurant, all strung out from the road. And he can almost feel the eyes upon him as he's shakin' off the cold. Sure, he laughs, he pretends it doesn't bother him. But he just wants to explode. Whereas, most times, Dubois can't hear 'em talk, other times he can. All the same old cliches, ''Is it champion, is it ATG?' He always seems outnumbered, so he doesn't dare make a stand. This one's a tossup. I favor Bruno. Because death smiles at us all. All we can do is laugh and smile back.