By Tim Royner: Daniel Dubois (8-0, 8 KOs) has flown over to Moscow, Russia to assist Alexander Povetkin prepare for his title fight against IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on September 22 at Wembley Stadium in London, UK. The 6’5” Dubois will work as a sparring partner for the 38-year-old Povetkin to get him ready for what he’ll be dealing with when he gets inside the ring with the 6’6” Joshua next month.
The 6’2” former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Povetkin (34-1, 24 KOs) is Joshua’s WBA mandatory challenger, which is the official explanation why his promoter Eddie Hearn decided on making this fight rather than the more desired unification match against WBC champion Deontay Wilder. Many boxing fans feel that Joshua and Hearn swerved the Wilder fight due to him being too dangerous right now. Joshua obviously needs more experience and self-confidence before he takes on a talent like Wilder.
Daniel Dubois✔@DynamiteDubois
Landed in Russia with my coach Martin for sparring with Alexander Povetkin
Dubois should be able to give Povetkin a chance to feel the right-hand punching power that he’ll be dealing with when he gets inside the ring with the 28-year-old Joshua on September 22, but he won’t be able to show him to same hand speed, left hook, jab or the movement that he possesses. Since his fight with Joseph Parker last March, Joshua has added a new facet to his game with his mobility. Joshua looked like a young Wladimir Klitschko with the fighting style that he used to defeat Parker by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision on March 31 in Cardiff, Wales. It’s possible that Joshua will continue to fight with the Klitschko style in his title defense against Povetkin. Joshua’s jab has now become his primary weapon in his arsenal since adopting the new Klitschko look. With his slow feet, Dubois won’t be able to give Povetkin the same looks that Joshua will be showing him on the 22nd of September. Dubois is a stationary fighter, who tends to try and run over his opponents with his size and power advantage,
Dubois (8-0, 8 KOs) will gain a lot from sparring with Povetkin. It’s not every day that a raw prospect like Dubois is able to spar with someone as talented and as experienced as Povetkin. Dubois needs the sparring to get ready for his fight against former world title challenger Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson (32-10-1, 16 KOs) on October 6. The 20-year-old Dubois is taking a big step up in competition in facing the 38-year-old Johnson, who is still a very good fighter despite being up there in age in nearing 40. During his long 15-year pro career, Johnson has shared the ring with Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Vitali Klitschko, Kubrat Pulev, Christian Hammer, Manuel Charr, Dereck Chisora, Tor Hamer, Andy Ruiz Jr., Francesco Pianeta, Alberto Sosnowski, Devin Vargas, Alex Leapai and Bruce Seldon. Johnson has lost to most of those fighters, but just having the experience of being in the same ring with them has helped Johnson to make him a very good fighter for a journeyman. The 240 pound Dubois figures to have too much punching power, size and youth for the journeyman Johnson to deal with.
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