Joe Joyce believes he is fighting for promotional priority, as well as the British and European titles, when he takes on Daniel Dubois in a huge heavyweight collision on November 28. Hall-of-Fame promoter Frank Warren has been in the corner of Dubois since setting him on the road to professional stardom in April of 2017 at the age of 19. The Peacock Gym product has more than lived up to his Dynamite billing and is, by common consensus, the best young heavyweight in the business.
‘Juggernaut’ Joyce, who joined the Queensberry ranks in May 2019 when he was first mandated to fight Dubois for the British title, wants a piece of the action and intends to ambush the ambitious plans laid out for his in-house rival.
“Right now, Daniel is a top boy for Queensberry and BT Sport so if I beat him, or when I beat him, I will be one to watch,” considered the 35-year-old Olympic silver medallist.
“According to Frank, the winner could potentially get a world title shot and that is definitely what I am in boxing for, so I am looking forward to beating Dubois and being #1.”
Dubois enjoys a lofty #2 ranking with the WBO behind only Oleksandr Usyk, who occupies top spot and mandatory position by virtue of moving up from cruiserweight as an undefeated champion.
Usyk is entitled to enforce a fight with the WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, but the Englishman first must negotiate an IBF obligation against Kubrat Pulev in December. If he then intends to enter into a two-fight booking with Tyson Fury, the WBO belt could well become up for grabs.
Enter Dubois or Joyce against Usyk.
“I know, imagine that, it would be unbelievable,” stated Joyce in eager anticipation. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself though because I’ve still got Dubois in my face to take on.”
Joyce, of course, suffered a defeat to Usyk in the World Boxing Series as a GB amateur and taking revenge as a pro, with a world title at stake, would be ideal retribution.
“I definitely wouldn’t be afraid of his power, more his skill really because he’s got good head movement. When I fought him it was quite an even fight, although he did catch me clean a few times, I had less defence and I was still a bit novicey back then.
“He was fresh off winning gold at London so he is a good fighter and I think the later rounds, especially with pro gloves on, would be the deciding factor if we got in the ring again.
“He wouldn’t be able to hurt me, which would be very dangerous for him.”
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Dubois vs Joyce headlines a great night of boxing action, live on BT Sport 1 HD on November 28th.
On the undercard, highly touted Ilford youngster Hamzah Sheeraz (11-0-0, 7KO’s) will defend his WBO European Super-Welterweight title against canny Spaniard Guido Nicolas Pitto (26-7-2, 8KO’s). Sheeraz was last seen on 10th July 2020 when he impressively cut through 12-1 Scotsman Paul Kean in 6 comfortable rounds.
Jack Catterall (25-0-0, 13KO’s) will take on the French-based Tunisian Abderrazak Houya (14-2-0, 2KO’s) in a 10 round Super-Lightweight contest.
Catterall is the #1 ranked contender for Jose Ramirez’s WBO title and intends to challenge the winner of the potential unification fight between Ramirez and WBA/IBF Champion Josh Taylor, but only if he can overcome the challenge of Houya. The Tunisian-born fighter boasts a respectable professional record and represented his country at the London 2012 Olympics.
London Heavyweight David Adeleye (3-0-0, 3KO’s) returns to behind-closed-doors action for the third time when he battles Silsden’s Danny Whittaker (4-1-0). Whitaker is coming off a points win over Chris Healey and has previously beaten Jonathan Palata.
Jack Massey (16-1-0, 8KO’s) returns to action in an 8 round Cruiserweight contest against a fearsome puncher from the UAE, Mohammad Ali Bayat Farid (16-1-1, 16 KO’s).
Joshua Frankham (1-0-0) will return to Super-Welterweight action, Louie Lynn (7-0-0, 6KO’s) will look to follow up his 2nd round TKO from the 25th July and Henry Wharton backed Heavyweight Mitchell Barton will make his long awaited pro-debut.
Really looking forward to this. My prediction is rock beats scissors.
Such a good fight this! The way i see it, Joyce has such a good chin, he is willing to take crazy shots to get in range. But that won’t work against Dubois. He hits too hard. The outcome of the fight is dependent on whether Joyce and his team realise this. If Joyce fights like he normally does, he gets knocked out. If he has a smarter plan , he could definitely win.
I wouldn’t be surprised by almost any result in this fight, but just looking at it – Joe Joyce’s defense is REALLY REALLY bad and Daniel Dubois hits REALLY REALLY hard. I’m leaning towards Dubois….. but I don’t care who wins, it is an excellent fight and I cannot wait to see it!
This is one of the most exciting non-title fights in years for the Heavyweight Division. Dubois looks like the real deal to me, but it would be foolish to write off Joyce. Add in the wildcard of how Covid-19 might have effected their training and it’s a true pick em. Seriously, I can hardly believe they wouldn’t take fights to shake off any rust, but I’m thrilled as a fan to finally get this one!
I’m leaning Dubois by 7th round stoppage. He just seems quicker and should be able to avoid Joyce’s power. The biggest danger for him in my mind is catching Joyce early and going for a premature finish. While that would be exciting for us fans, it might find his butt on the canvas.
Dubois’ speed and jab will dominate this fight to a victory. Joyce is a lot slower, but being frequently tattooed with shots could result in TKO stoppage as well. We will see.
Joyce is in for a long night. His god awful defense coupled with his amazingly slow hands will be his demise. He is 100% getting stopped in this fight, I don’t see it going any other way.
Love this fight being made. It’s rare to see two legit prospects fighting a meaningful non-title fight. If you wonder why European fighters have been so much better at heavyweight in the 21st century, this is why. They are so much more willing to test themselves and take the proper steps to ensure they are ready for anything when they get into the title mix. Compare that with Frank Sanchez and Luiz Ortiz, who just took a garbage fight with no value last weekend despite getting national TV exposure.
A lot of good talent in the heavyweight division. Looking forward to seeing this one. Hopefully will also get to see more of Tony Yoka the undefeated hard hitting heavyweight who won a gold medal in the super heavyweight division in 2016 and who also beat both Parker and Joyce in the amateurs.
I believe Dubois will try to impose his speed and better skills, rather than his awesome power to demolish Joyce, but beware of Joyce’s power, he could end the fight with a single shot, I doubt Dubois has that luxury in this fight. I see Dubois winning by UD or maybe late stoppage.
Joyce is spot on about Usyk. The HWs do not respect his power and while never hurt by Chisora, he was getting bullied all over the ring for 2 rounds.
The winner of Joyce or DD will not exactly risk injury against Usyk. Usyk may outbox them but he is not putting these big boys to sleep like Povetkin did to Dyllian Whyte.
Usyk is just a bridgerweight.
Dubois is stronger and quicker, of course, but he is lacking skills, as Joyce, and I think if Joyce will be able to cut corners and pressure Dubois later in the fight this will be exciting. So Joyce has “only” to survive a couple of rounds. Not a small matter!
Joyce will stop Dubois.