The biggest prospect in world boxing is ‘Triple D’, Daniel Dubois, and Greenwich’s 22-year-old heavyweight is in action against experienced prizefighter Kyotaro Fujimoto this weekend in London.
The Copper Box Arena undercard features an intriguing international clash between Liam Williams and Alantez Fox, and the British title fight between Sunny Edwards and Marcel Braithwaite. While over in America, Tony Harrison and Jermell Charlo rerun their 2018 world championship bout.
DANIEL DUBOIS VS KYOTARO FUJIMOTO (SATURDAY, 10.00PM)
The heavyweight division is a conundrum – it’s the most glamorous, the best paid, and you can get to the top in the shortest time, but there’s a high chance you’ll get sparked out and land face first when you’re least expecting it.
Daniel Dubois is 13 fights deep into his heavyweight career, and he’s been superbly guided past two former title challengers and a top unbeaten prospect – picking up the Commonwealth and British titles along the way. The hometown fighter wants world championship contests sooner rather than later, but first, he has to deal with Fujimoto.
The eccentric Japanese athlete was a high-level kickboxer before transitioning to the fist-only Queensbury Rules, and he’s won 21 of 22 professional boxing bouts, 13 coming early.
Dubois will have a massive five-inch height advantage over Fujimoto, and I expect the Tokyo talisman to be staying light on his feet for as long as he’s upright – despite him promising that he’ll win by KO in several quirky social media videos.
In 2012, when Dubois was doing his mock GCSEs, Fujimoto was matched with an experienced and heavy-handed heavyweight, and he lost by fifth-round TKO.
The former kickboxer has some decent footwork and experience, but in the end, that will be about as useful to him as his colourful, patriotic hair. ‘Dynamite’ Dan is short odds to win by KO in the early sessions but he’s been extended past round 3 in two of his last three bouts, and that could happen again here.
Bet of the bout: Dubois to win in rounds 4-6 @ 23/10
LONDON UNDERCARD (SATURDAY, 8-10.00PM)
Boxers come in all shapes and sizes – and the main support act at London’s Copper Box Arena this Saturday features fighters who are little and large. Liam Williams is on the short side for a middleweight but he’s a big favourite against 6’4’’ American Alantez Fox (9pm).
Since moving up to 160lbs Williams has turned his aggressive style into five impressive stoppage wins. Both men have only lost to one world-level opponent respectively, but it is the angry Welshman who will win this and go on to get a world title shot next year.
Bet of the bout: Williams to win in rounds 7-12 @ 13/5
From all shapes and sizes to pint-sized punchers – Sunny Edwards battles Marcel Braithwaite for the British 115-pound belt this weekend (8pm). Edwards – younger brother of world champion Charlie – is a massive betting favourite, but he only has one KO in his last six bouts.
Bet of the bout: Back Sunny to take the title on points @ 8/15
TONY HARRISON VS JERMELL CHARLO (SUNDAY, 3.00AM)
Stateside, there’s world-class boxing in the form of Harrison vs Charlo. The bout is a rematch of the highly disputed 2018 decision win for Harrison, when Charlo lost for the first time and surrendered his super middleweight strap to Detroit’s Harrison.
The new champ is a cool customer in the ring, who likes to keep it long and counterpunch, and I don’t think he’ll deviate from his winning strategy. Texas’s Charlo was caught a bit too easily the first time, and he’ll either be more tactical or he’ll charge in like a bull – I like Charlo to take back his title in the early rounds.
Bet of the bout: Charlo to win in rounds 1-6 @ 5/1
Also, keep an eye out for Tyson Fury’s little brother Tommy – most famous for being a Love Island contestant – who is scheduled to fight against a yet-to-be-named journeyman.
All the best boxing odds over at paddypower.com