Daniel Dubois continued his ascent in the heavyweight rankings after a second-round knockout of Japan’s Kyotaro Fujimoto in London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday night.
It was the 13th knockout of the Londoner’s career, with the 22-year-old now likely to be matched against former Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce in the early part of next year.
Dubois, now 14 victories into his career, said he was ready for anyone in world boxing. “Against any fighter out there I’d back myself 100 per cent. I don’t care who you are, what title you’ve got. Once we’re in the ring I’m just going to perform to the best of my ability, go out and give it all I’ve got.”
There is more development needed, yet without doubt one of the best prospects in world boxing has a devastating right hand, with a great jab.
Promoter Frank Warren would be happy with Joyce as the next test for his young contender. “We all want it, Joe wants it, Daniel wants it,” he said. “It is two unbeaten fighters and it is not the end of the world for the loser, they can come again.”
Warren revealed he has made a offers to British heavyweights such as Dereck Chisora and David Price but was turned down. “Daniel did everything he had to do,” Warren said. “He is a phenomenal puncher, he poleaxed Fujimoto.”
Meanwhile, in mixed martial arts, Cornwall’s Kate Jackson lost by a wide decision on the judges’ cards but made history as the first British woman to fight for a world title in the sport, against Hawaiian Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, in Honolulu.