Daniel Dubois intent on facing Joe Joyce for the British belt
Daniel Dubois (10-0) insists he is more than up for fulfilling his side of the bargain when it comes to challenging for the vacant British heavyweight title against Joe Joyce (8-0).
The British Boxing Board of Control put forward Dubois and Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce to battle for the Lonsdale belt vacated by Hughie Fury and it is a fight that genuinely appeals to the 21-year-old 10-0 man, who has already won the Southern Area and English titles, as well as the WBC World Youth and WBO European belts.First, however, he has got a job to do against the 14-1 Ghanaian Richard Lartey at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27. If he passes this test with flying colours, Joyce is the type of opponent that fits the bill for Dubois.
"Me against Joe, if that fight can be made, I am definitely up for it," said the executor of nine professional KOs to date. "Moving on, these are the sort of fighters I want to face and win against to progress through the rankings and get to where I want to be – preparing for world titles.
"There is no way around these fighters, I have to face him and I have to beat him," added Dubois, who strongly suspects Joyce will have no issue in signing up for the fight.
"I am sure he would, we'll just have to wait and see. I don't see any reason why he shouldn't."
Dubois and Joyce were both members of the Team GB squad up in Sheffield and are, therefore, no strangers to each other's strengths and weaknesses in the pair's pre-pro days.
"We did a lot of rounds, maybe 40-60, when I mixed it with all the guys up there," confirmed Dubois. "Sparring is sparring, but we tested each other and helped each other while we were on the squad.
"It was a good experience. He tries to overpower and outwork you, so he is busy non-stop and a challenge for anyone who faces him."
Including Dubois himself?
"No, not at all. I will work 100 per cent, even harder than I am now, to beat these guys. The better the guys I am facing, the better I will be."
Daniel Dubois v Richard Lartey tops the bill at the SSE Arena, Wembley on April 27 on a card that also includes the tantalising Commonwealth super-middleweight title fight between slick southpaw Lerrone Richards and experienced former British champion Tommy Langford, who can become a two-weight Commonwealth champion should he prevail away from home.
Hoping to challenge the winner is unbeaten 168-pounder Zak Chelli who faces Jimmy Smith in a Southern Area super-middleweight title clash.
WBO European super flyweight champion Sunny Edwards and WBO European super featherweight champion Archie Sharp also feature.
Hoddesdon's flashy super-lightweight Alfie Price is all set for his fifth fight, as is rangy super-welterweight talent Hamzah Sheeraz and hard-hitting middleweight and Peacock gym product Denzel Bentley.
Belfast amateur middleweight star Caoimhin Agyarko; Chris Kongo; Shakiel Thompson; Umar Sadiq; Bilal Ali will also return to action.