Daniel Dubois makes the primary defence of his IBF heavyweight title wishing that he had received it within the ring.
He fights Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21, having been elevated to the standing of champion after Oleksandr Usyk – beforehand the undisputed champion – vacated one in all his 4 titles.
It was Dubois’ career-best victory over Filip Hrgovic on June 1 that earned him the IBF’s interim title. It additionally earned him the highest-profile combat of his profession – one towards a former champion he admired and as soon as sparred as a teen.
Dubois lower quick a vacation in Brazil to return to London for Wednesday’s press convention, having beforehand discovered that he had been awarded his first skilled world title.
It was not the crowning second the 26 12 months outdated and his father David had beforehand dreamed of, however he can safe an analogous sensation if he defends it in September, conscious {that a} potential combat with the winner of the rematch between Tyson Fury and Usyk may even comply with.
“I might have wished to win it within the ring and get the group concerned however right here we’re,” he mentioned.
“I wasn’t actually anxious [about Usyk retaining the title]. I am glad I’ve acquired it however I wasn’t sweating over it. It’s a formality – for those who maintain profitable you may get these titles. For me the belts and all which might be nice however these fights themselves are like world-title fights.
“‘AJ’ would not want a belt to be the highest draw – it’s all about the way you carry out within the ring in entrance of a crowd.
“I’ve simply flown again from Brazil – a 12-hour flight again. I’m shattered. It was a vacation – a bit of break however we have been nonetheless coaching.
“It was deliberate earlier than my final combat so I needed to lower it quick to get again for this. I noticed the information this morning on-line – it’s all good constructive vibes. I’ll thank Usyk with a rematch.”
Dubois sparred Joshua, 34, when Joshua was nonetheless being skilled by Rob McCracken on the amenities in Sheffield that belong to Group GB.
He regardless sees no extra significance in what unfolded between them – if he as soon as seemed as much as Joshua he was confrontational with him on Wednesday – than he did in what occurred when he sparred Hrgovic or Nathan Gorman, one other opponent he beforehand stopped.
“Individuals have all the time talked about sparring however I don’t as a result of at any time when somebody mentions sparring about me, they get overwhelmed up,” he mentioned.
“It felt good [being at Team GB]. It felt like we have been all one and the identical – making an attempt to do the identical factor.
“I used to be there making an attempt to get on the Olympic workforce and he was already on there pushing on. It was all good up there – sparring with the very best and mixing it with them. I’ve nothing however good reminiscences from my time with Group GB – I used to be younger. Solely 17. It was only a good path.
“I may see again then that he was a terrific champion however each nice starting has an finish – and I’m right here to take the baton and the throne.
“I’ve to combat the person so sparring just isn’t on my thoughts. Let’s speak about preventing now, not sparring.
“The spar occurred years in the past. I can barely keep in mind it.
“Nathan Gorman talked about our sparring classes and look what occurred.
“My profession has been resurrected so I’m on the highway to redemption. I would like every thing saved constructive and I need to maintain these good issues going. I imagine there’s a increased energy at work and he’s pushing me in the appropriate route.
“Individuals mentioned that [Joshua would be retired before I reached his level] – he’s nonetheless making huge cash and he’s nonetheless right here, so if I’ve to knock him off the perch I’ll do it.
“He has been by way of many wars and that may inform on him. However I’m nonetheless going to organize 100 per cent and be prepared for a warfare.”