IN APRIL, 2017 Boxing News sat down with Daniel Dubois for the first time, marking the first major feature with the then-teenage heavyweight published anywhere. Despite little being known about the kid from London, rumors circulated that he had dropped Anthony Joshua in sparring and subsequently signed a professional contract with Frank Warren.
Incidentally, the issue of the magazine featuring the interview hit the shelves on April 20, 2017, just nine days before Joshua’s memorable knockout of Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium. The cover of that issue posed the question of whether Dubois could be “The new Joshua?”
Now, more than seven years later, Dubois has defeated Joshua at the same stadium with a stunning fifth-round finish in front of over 96,000 fans.
Below, we present the full conversation between Daniel Dubois and Boxing News’ senior reporter Declan Taylor. Take a look back at Dubois’ thoughts on the Joshua comparisons, the sparring rumors, and his aspirations for the future. It has been a remarkable journey for the young Londoner.
‘I HURT EVERYONE I SPAR’
When you consider touted heavyweight prospect Daniel Dubois has sparred Anthony Joshua—among others—it demands attention, writes Declan Taylor.
April, 2017
