I watch Dubois and see a 21st century Sonny Liston

IT’S a hell of a claim to make, but when I watch Daniel Dubois, I wonder if we are not seeing a 21stCentury Sonny Liston.

Like Liston, the 22-year-old doesn’t say much, preferring to let his fists do the talking. And what explosive fists they are.

Liston (above) was a way better fighter than the two defeats to Muhammad Ali showed. That phantom punch followed by the corner retirement cast a long shadow.

But they did not reflect his ability or work across his whole career. From the late ’50s, to that first meeting with Ali in February 1964, Liston was the most feared man on the planet.

He knocked out Floyd Patterson twice in a round, Cleveland Williams twice inside three rounds, and Zora Folley in three.

Liston’s fists measured 15 inches, the biggest in the history of the division, which might explain his ramrod jab and devastating left hook.

And, at only a smidgeon over 6ft, he had the reach of Deontay Wilder – 84 inches. Wow, if anyone was built to be a fighter, it was Liston.

Dubois is similarly strong, with arms like my legs. He still has to work on speed and finesse but, with power like his, Dubois can go a long way.

And he is a proper athlete. I saw him spar 10 rounds with Martin Bakole and he finished up as fresh as a daisy.

Andy Ruiz showed how opportunities in the heavyweight division are huge. With Tyson Fury and Wilder tied up, and Anthony Joshua struggling to defend all three of his belts, young

British prospects like Dubois (training below) and Joe Joyce could get a title shot soon.

After just 13 fights, Dubois is not quite ready yet. We have to see how his chin stands up when really tested, and what he is like against someone long and mobile, who fights with guile.

But if anyone stands with him and holds their feet, they are in trouble – Liston-like trouble.

His opponent in east London tonight, Kyotaro Fujimota of Japan, is whistling in the graveyard when he says he is going to knock him out.

Fujimota is half-a-foot smaller and has never fought outside Japan. As the WBO’s Asia Pacific champion, he comes with credentials but no great kudos.

Expect Dubois to run through him, then look to land a more experienced opponent with a bigger name – a Bryant Jennings or similar – as his launch pad to the big show next year.