Dubois is on the path to becoming a heavyweight household name

Heavyweight boxing has not been this interesting since the 1990s and one rising contender hoping to be part of the mix soon is Daniel Dubois, who is in action on ESPN+ this Friday (Sep. 27).

There have been a few entertaining twists and turns in the last year featuring the careers of heavyweight stars Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua.

Their story-lines have helped create interest in boxing from beyond the hardcore support as the heavyweight division throws up upsets, drama and good fights.

Dubois (12-0, 11 KOs), 22, is hoping to join the party soon and his ideal fight would be against either one of his English rivals Fury or Joshua, both former WBA-IBF-WBO world champions aiming to regain titles in their next fights.

There is work to be done before Dubois can talk realistically of fighting for world titles and the south Londoner can continue his progression with victory over Ebenezer Tetteh (19-0, 16 KOs), of Ghana, in his 13th professional fight for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight belt at The Royal Albert Hall, central London, which will be streamed live in the US on ESPN+.

“As long as I keep performing, eventually I will fight them [bigger names],” Dubois said. “It’s a journey and I’m not in a rush.

“Every performance sends out a message to my rivals.

“The Commonwealth belt is a big one as well and a step up. It is a good challenge and I am sure he will bring everything he has got to the table.

“My path is set out, these belts are flying towards me and good fights can be put together. I can defend and win these titles.

“Carrying on doing what I am doing is most important but if I can pick up these good titles and put them on my CV, I am definitely going to go for it.”

Dubois, who was recently voted Best Young Boxer of the Year by members of the Boxing Writers’ Club, turned professional in April 2017 and is ranked at No. 7 with the WBO.

Dubois is part of a crop of contenders closing in on the elite. Others among the next wave of heavyweights include Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic, France’s Tony Yoka, England’s Joe Joyce, and Germany’s Agit Kabayel.

Frank Warren, who also promotes Fury, is convinced Dubois will one day be fighting for bigger titles after he destroyed Nathan Gorman in July to win the British crown.

“I have been convinced since day one that we were onto something very special with Daniel and everything he has done up to now has confirmed that belief,” Warren said.

“He is an outstanding young talent and a very fine individual who possesses all the ingredients to reach the very top and stay there for a long time.”

Dubois hopes to show he is ready to move on to the next level, perhaps against British rival David Price.

“Price is a good fight for me, he has been around a while and fought a lot of guys, but it’s a good match-up,” Dubois said.

Also on the bill is double Olypic gold medallist Nicola Adams (5-0, 3 KOs), who defends her WBO flyweight title for the first time against experienced Mexican Maria Salinas (21-7-3).

Adams, 36, from Leeds, has had a stop-start career and was upgraded to world champion after winning the interim title in her last fight, almost a year ago.

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