HEALTH ALWAYS COMES FIRST
I FELT it was disingenuous of some high-profile former and current boxers to criticise Daniel Dubois’ capitulation against Joe Joyce. It was clear to see that Dubois’ eye was seriously damaged and it was better for him to stop fighting rather than risk losing his sight. Maybe these critics would’ve preferred for Dubois to carry on, so that our beautiful game could be dragged through the mud by people who wish to ban it. I felt Dubois’ corner could’ve saved him the humiliation of having to make the decision himself. Those who wish to question Dubois’ fighting spirit should know better. The protection of the fighter’s health always comes first, without question or judgement. Cassius Campbell
PEDIGREE MATTERS
CONGRATULATIONS to Joe Joyce on defeating Daniel Dubois in emphatic fashion. There are no shortcuts in the fight game, where know-how and pedigree matter. A look at the amateur and professional experience of both held the clues as to what would happen. I like Dubois but he wasn’t ready for this step up in class. I hope his injury heals and he comes back and learns from this, as he is still a very young and talented man. Olu Rotimi
DUBOIS SHOWED MATURITY
DEBATES after the Daniel Dubois-joe Joyce fight have focused on whether or not Dubois quit. Why does it matter if he did? Elite MMA fighters tap out. Premier League footballers signal to the bench when they are injured. It doesn’t make fans question their willingness to win. If Dubois knew he couldn’t finish the fight with one eye – even if he was ahead on two scorecards at the time – why risk sustaining career-ending damage? I was surprised his corner didn’t withdraw him, but the fact Dubois made the decision himself shows that he has the kind of maturity he will need if he is to return to his pursuit of world titles. Lloyd Riley
FULL CIRCLE
SOME months ago, when the Daniel Dubois-joe Joyce showdown was first mooted, I wrote to BN comparing the matchup to a modern-day Mike Tyson vs George Foreman. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we would see the actual Tyson in the ring the very same night! At that time, I picked Joyce to get past Dubois, and so it proved. I’d like to say I told you so, but I’d actually changed my mind by the time the fight came around, such was the genuine 50-50 nature of this contest. Great tactics from Joe, and Daniel will come again I’m sure. Mark Bambury