Are Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce ready for world title fights?

By Jonny Bray

Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce are two of the most exciting young talents in British boxing but have taken different routes to the top.

Dubois opted to turn professional rather than go to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while Joyce won silver at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Despite navigating different pathways, neither fighter will look back on their decisions with any regret.

Frank Warren has said that a heavyweight title opportunity is on the cards for both the young talents but that a rematch between the two is being placed on hold for now.

The two fighters were undefeated when they met in London in November 2020, and it was Dubois who suffered his first defeat in controversial circumstances.

He outrageously received criticism after dropping to a knee after realising the extent of the damage to his eye and nose.

Regardless, there is a real buzz around both fighters heading into 2022, but are they ready for world title fights?

Joe Joyce

It’s easy to forget that Joyce’s win again Dubois was an upset within the boxing community.

Dubois had definitely received a lot more publicity during his career and was the odds-on favourite to win amongst the majority of fans, pundits and bookies going into the main event bout.

But he was brutal in that fight and hasn’t taken a backwards step since.

In the fight, he took another step up in class after dispatching experienced Frenchman Carlos Takam in the sixth round to retain his Commonwealth, WBC Silver and WBO International heavyweight titles.

That fight was a big statement from Joyce, who is beginning to look like he could join a very exciting line up of elite heavyweight fighters.

Unfortunately, a wrist injury has temporarily put any world title ambitions on hold, but in the last week, he’s teased an April return to the ring.

Whether or not that fight is for a world title remains to be seen, but it’ll be another crucial step for Joyce.

His 92% knockout percentage will strike the fear into the hearts of a lot of the other top-ranked heavyweights.

Put simply, Joyce is ready for a title fight.

But at a time when there’s more competition in the division than ever before, he may have to be patient and pick his moment.

Daniel Dubois

Daniel Dubois was unfortunate in defeat against Joyce, but he looks ready to re-launch his career and join his London rival at the top table of the heavyweight division.

Despite disappointment that night in London, Dubois has been impressive in his two comeback fights against Bogdan Dinu and Joe Cusumano.

Dinu was knocked out with a huge right hand in the second round of their fight and Dubois looked better than ever against a highly ranked opponent.

His punching power has never been in question, but he set the punch up well and looked incredibly focussed throughout despite facing an inferior opponent.

In the fight against Cusumano was similar, but Dubois annihilated the American in the first round.

The 24-year-old was ruthless in that fight and showed just what he can bring when he is at his best.

In both bouts, he landed shots that he landed on Joyce, but Joyce could take those punches and come back.

For that reason, he is not quite ready for a title fight in 2022.

Dubois could still be a truly great boxer, but he needs to show he can hang in there with people who are prepared to leave it all in the ring.

Photo Credit: Getty Images