Daniel Dubois is riding the crest of a wave following his sensational fifth-round stoppage victory over two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The 27-year-old has, most notably, catapulted himself into the mix for a shot at the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury on December 21.
With ‘Triple D’ now holding a world title – after Usyk relinquished his IBF belt – a potential undisputed heavyweight clash could be in the works for next year.
But still, there are plenty of contenders in boxing’s land of the giants who would love to crash the newly-crowned champion’s party.
Billy Nelson reveals that Martin Bakole made Daniel Dubois quit in sparring
Before Dubois scored a viral knockout to claim his career-best victory, a number of retired fighters, including Carl Frampton, had questioned the Londoner’s heart and desire.
These comments emerged after his tenth-round stoppage defeat to Joe Joyce back in 2020, and then resurfaced when the pulsating puncher surrendered to the formidable right glove of Usyk three years later.
And now, Billy Nelson – head coach of avoided heavyweight Martin Bakole – is claiming that Daniel Dubois has shown signs of vulnerability in the gym too.
“Martin Bakole is levels above Daniel Dubois; he’s proved it already when he made him quit in sparring and broke his nose. And that was only when he was 60 percent [of his best], in second gear,” Nelson told Seconds Out.
“He would annihilate Daniel; Daniel knows it. If they think I’m talking s***, make the fight and we’ll prove it gladly.
“[But] they won’t make the fight, and you cannot blame them. Frank Warren’s team will never, unless Martin becomes the mandatory challenger, fight Martin Bakole.”
Who could Daniel Dubois face next?
While Bakole comes off a destructive performance over highly-touted American prospect Jared Anderson, there are also a number of contenders who, equally, have earned their right to collide with Dubois.
- Daniel Dubois
- Joseph Parker
- Zhilei Zhang
- Agit Kabayel
- Martin Bakole
According to the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB), Joseph Parker, Zhilei Zhang, Agit Kabayel and Bakole are all within touching distance of the number three-ranked Brit.
And all of whom, one might add, are coming off career-best victories, showing that, aside from a potential rematch with Joshua, there are plenty of options for Dubois to consider.