New York, NY, USA (July 29, 2024) - Daniel Dubois is currently holds the IBF belt, though he has yet to secure a victory in a fight for a major world title. His only attempt was in August of last year, when he faced then unified champion Oleksandr Usyk and was knocked out. Despite this, Dubois' potential in the heavyweight division remains high, particularly given his age and the aging landscape of top heavyweights.

The Current Heavyweight Landscape

The heavyweight division is currently dominated by older fighters. Oleksandr Usyk, the world heavyweight champion, is 37 years old. Tyson Fury, ranked #1 contender by Ring Magazine, will be 36 next month. Anthony Joshua, ranked #2, is 34, while Joseph Parker, ranked #3, is 32. Zhang Zhilei, ranked #4, is 41, and Agit Kabayel, ranked #5, is 31. Dubois, at 26 years old, stands out as one of the younger talents, alongside 24-year-old Jared Anderson, who is ranked #7. The division is undeniably aging, with Dubois and Anderson being the only top contenders in their twenties.

Dubois’ Career So Far

Dubois began his professional career in 2017, winning his first 15 fights, 14 by knockout. His first major setback came in November 2020 when he faced the undefeated Joe Joyce. Despite a strong start, Dubois was ultimately broken down by Joyce, who closed Dubois’ eye and knocked him out in the tenth round.

Remarkably, Dubois rebounded quickly. In his next fight, he won a WBA eliminator against Bogdan Dinu with a second-round knockout. Two fights later, in June 2022, Dubois captured the WBA regular title by stopping Trevor Bryan. Although the title is not recognized, it positioned Dubois for a shot at Usyk.

Dubois’ resilience was tested again in a bout against Kevin Lerena, where he was dropped three times in the first round. He managed to recover and stop Lerena in the third round under cloudy circumstances. This win set up his fight against Usyk, where Dubois was outclassed and ultimately knocked out. The bout’s controversy revolved around a low blow from Dubois that some argued was a legitimate body shot.

Recent Performances and Future Prospects

Following his loss to Usyk, Dubois put on a dominant performance against Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, winning by late stoppage. This victory showcased Dubois’ ability to outmaneuver and outwork a physically imposing opponent. In June, Dubois faced Filip Hrgovic for the IBF interim title, engaging in a slugfest that saw Dubois come out on top, securing the IBF interim belt.

In a twist of fate, Usyk vacated the IBF belt in June, promoting Dubois from interim to the full IBF title, which at that point had been devalued. This unexpected turn of events has given Dubois a legitimate claim to a 'world title'.

The Road Ahead

Dubois’ next big challenge comes on September 21st at Wembley Stadium, where he will defend his belt against former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. A win against Joshua would significantly bolster Dubois’ status in the heavyweight division, potentially setting him up for a shot at the actual world heavyweight championship.

Conclusion

While it remains uncertain if Daniel Dubois is the definitive future of heavyweight boxing, his recent performances and his youth relative to other top heavyweights position him as a strong contender. At 26, Dubois has time on his side and a significant opportunity to establish himself as a leading figure in the division. His upcoming fight against Anthony Joshua will be a critical test, and a victory could very well mark the beginning of Dubois' ascent to the top of the heavyweight ranks.