As the heavyweight boxing landscape continues to evolve, one young talent has been making waves, eager to step out of the shadow of a former champion. Daniel Dubois, the rising star of the division, has grown increasingly weary of the constant comparisons to Anthony Joshua, the former unified heavyweight titleholder.
Dubois, a 25-year-old powerhouse from London, has been touted as the next big thing in the heavyweight class, with many pundits and fans drawing parallels between his meteoric rise and the success enjoyed by Joshua in the past. However, the young boxer is determined to carve out his own legacy and prove that he is more than just a Joshua clone.
Daniel Dubois is already a better heavyweight prospect that Anthony Joshua, says Frank Warren.
“It’s frustrating, to be honest,” Dubois admitted in a recent interview. “I understand the comparisons, but I’m my own man, and I’m here to make a name for myself, not to be the next Anthony Joshua. I have my own goals, my own dreams, and my own path to follow.”
Dubois’ journey to the top has been nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from a boxing family, he began his training at a young age, quickly amassing an impressive amateur record before turning professional in 2017. Since then, he has racked up an undefeated record, with 17 wins, 16 of them coming by way of knockout.
Anthony Joshua struggled to a tenth round stoppage of Carlos Takam.
His power and precision in the ring have caught the attention of the boxing world, and many have tipped him to be the one to dethrone the current heavyweight champions. However, Dubois is adamant that he wants to be recognized for his own merits, not merely as a successor to Joshua’s throne.
“I understand the excitement and the hype, but I’m not here to be the next anyone,” Dubois said. “I’m here to be the first Daniel Dubois, and I’m going to prove that I have what it takes to become a champion in my own right.”
To that end, Dubois has his sights set on a particular fight that could help him establish his own identity. He is set to face off against Jermaine Franklin, a former opponent of Anthony Joshua, in a bout that could serve as a pivotal moment in his career.
“Beating Jermaine Franklin would be a big statement,” Dubois said. “He’s a tough opponent who has shared the ring with Joshua, and if I can come out on top, it’ll show that I’m not just chasing someone else’s legacy, but carving out my own path.”
The matchup with Franklin is a significant test for Dubois, who is looking to build on his recent victories and cement his status as a genuine contender in the heavyweight division. With a win over Franklin, Dubois could position himself for a shot at one of the current champions, further distancing himself from the Joshua comparisons.
Anthony Joshua has held the IBF title since 2016, and the WBA and IBO titles since April 2017.
“I’m not trying to be the next Joshua, or the next anyone,” Dubois reiterated. “I’m here to be the best Daniel Dubois I can be, and that means winning fights, securing titles, and proving to the world that I’m a force to be reckoned with in my own right.”
Dubois’ determination to forge his own path is admirable, and it reflects a growing trend among the younger generation of boxers who are eager to establish their own identities and legacies. In a sport where comparisons and legacies can both elevate and burden a fighter, Dubois’ unwavering focus on his own goals and aspirations could be the key to his long-term success.
As he prepares to face Franklin, Dubois is well aware that the eyes of the boxing world will be upon him, scrutinizing his every move and waiting to see if he can live up to the hype. But for the young heavyweight, this is merely another opportunity to prove that he is more than just a reflection of the fighters who have come before him.
“I’m ready to show the world what I can do,” Dubois said. “This is my time, my moment, and I’m not going to let anyone or anything stand in my way. I’m here to write my own story, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.”
