All you need to know ahead of Dubois vs Joyce
After several rescheduled dates, it’s now been announced that Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce will touch gloves on November 28th on BT Sport.
In what will be a packed calendar in the heavyweight division – the Dubois vs Joyce fight precedes the huge December 12 Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev event, with Tyson Fury set for a title defence in the same month – it’s set to be an exciting encounter between two unbeaten boxers, with various titles on the line.
The latest Dubois vs Joyce odds are firmly in the favour of the former – Triple D currently holds the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, and will be defending them in his upcoming bout. He also holds the WBO International and WBC Silver heavyweight titles, while the vacant European heavyweight belt is up for grabs.
Although the location for the bout is yet to be confirmed, we already know that it will take place behind closed doors – and promoter Frank Warren has already used London’s York Hall, and the BT Sport studio in Stratford to host fights since lockdown.
So, as we gear up to the match-up next month, billed as ‘At Last’, here’s all you need to know about both boxers:
Dubois
Nickname: Dynamite, or Triple D
Age: 23
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Reach: 78 in
First professional fight: April 2017
Record: 15-0 (14 wins by KO)
Dubois’ last three fights have all been won by way of knockout or technical knockout, beginning with a first-round victory against Ebenezer Tetteh in September 2019. The clock had barely ticked over two minutes, when a trademark dynamite punch sent the Ghanaian to the canvas. In winning the vacant Commonwealth and WBO International heavyweight titles, he proved he could be the next heavyweight star.
Dubois then retained his WBO title and won the WBC Silver title in his following fight, against Kyotaro Fujimoto. The Japanese boxer had never fought outside of his native country, and proved to be quite the punchbag for Dubois – he required medical attention after being floored on several occasions – and the knockout blow came in the second round.
He most recently took on Ricardo Snijders, in a behind closed doors match at BT Sport’s studios. Making light work of his opponent, Dynamite dispatched of the Dutchman in emphatic fashion – just 20 seconds into round two – to retain his WBO title for a second time. There’s no doubt he had an easy ride, flooring Snijders three times in the opening round alone, and on the fourth occasion, the Dutchman stayed down.
Joyce
Nickname: Juggernaut, or Triple J
Age: 35
Height: 6 ft 5.5 in
Reach: 80.5 in
First professional fight: October 2017
Record: 11-0 (10 wins by KO)
Joyce signed with Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in April 2019, and he made his debut the following month, against the experienced Alexander Ustinov (35-3 at the time). He won the fight by TKO in the third round, having dominated for large spells.
He was then on the undercard of the Dubois vs Gorman fight at London’s O2 and after problems in securing an opponent, Joyce took on American Bryant Jennings, with his WBA Gold heavyweight title on the line. The bout went the distance, lasting all 12 rounds and the judges came to a unanimous verdict that the Juggernaut was the winner. Despite fans’ criticism, Joyce retained his title.
Joyce returned to the ring in July, with the bout being fought behind closed doors. He took on Michael Wallisch and easily dispatched of the German. After sending him to the canvas three times in as many rounds, the referee soon halted proceedings, awarding Joyce a TKO victory.