MAGIC MIKE
Dubois: I always wanted to fight like Tyson... I can’t wait to see him again
KNOCK-OUT specialist Daniel Dubois wants to be the new Mike Tyson – but says he won’t be fighting into his fifties like his boyhood hero.
Dubois faces Joe Joyce in an explosive showdown on November 28 to decide Britain’s next heavyweight hope – and will then tune in to watch fifty-somethings Tyson and Roy Jones Jnr turn back the clock in their exhibition fight.
“I’m definitely watching that,” said the 23 year-old Londoner.
“My dad got me watching boxing when I was a boy and Mike Tyson was the first fighter I ever latched onto.
“Boxing ended up taking over my life. When I was an amateur, I wanted to fight like Mike Tyson. I’m still trying! I’ve got some good knockouts – but I want more. It’s going to be amazing to see him fight again.
“I would have liked to have seen him fight Jones when they were in their prime, but they were in different weight classes and in different eras.
“But if they still have a bit of the old magic left it will be worth watching. Mike Tyson was always my inspiration, but I will be long gone by the time I’m in my fifties. I will have retired by then.
“God will give me a sign when it’s time to walk away.”
As yet, Dubois hasn’t t put many miles on his clock lock because he’s spent his three- and- a- half- year r pro career dishing out punishment rather than taking it.
He has 14 early wins in 15 fights – including 10 inside two rounds – and said: “Fighters tell you there re are lots of secrets behind ind a knockout punch. For me, it’s magic ! It just happens.
“Once I’m in a flow, it’s like magic. I don’t even think about it and the next thing, they are on the floor. It’s down to footwork, timing and the flow. It comes from nowhere.”
Between them, Dubois and Joyce have 24 knockouts in 26 fights and their huge clash for the British, Commonwealth and vacant European belts is among the most eagerly- anticipated
FLOOR SHOW Daniel Dubois knocks down Ebenezer Tetteh the Royal at
Alber t Hall last year domestic heavyweight showdowns since Lennox Lewis beat Frank Bruno in Cardiff 27 years ago.
Lewis and Bruno are both fans of Dubois after seeing him train with Martin Bowers at the Peacock gym – and he can pick up more admirers with a devastating demolition of Joyce.
“This fight is massive,” said Dubois. “It’s the next step. This is my chance to prove I’m the best British heavyweight out there and I I’m m on my way to the world title.
“Th This fight will bring in a lot of viewers who don’t usually watch boxing. This fight can raise my profile. There’s a personality clash and anyone who’s seen us knows it’s going to be a great fight.
“I’m going to land punches and keep landing them until he gives up. I will take him apart and knock him out.”
Joyce, silver medallist at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, is known for his granite chin and high punch output and, to prepare for his toughest test yet, Dubois has been sparring with new pro Solomon Dacres.
The former Great Britain amateur spent a week sparring Dubois – and then said he was turning pro with Joyce’s management.
Bowers said: “People are saying he was spying on us. But what’s he going to go and tell them? That Daniel is fit, strong and has great power? They knew that anyway.”