BRIGHTON’S Harvey Dykes is backing his gym-mate Daniel Dubois to stop Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night and become the first undisputed British heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
Dykes, from Whitehawk, is better placed than most to make his prediction. He regularly trains alongside Dubois under trainer Don Charles in London. The two have shared the ring on many occasions.
“I’ve sparred Daniel a lot,” the 29-year-old Dykes explained. “We’ve done over 60 rounds in total and around 25 in preparation for the Usyk fight. It would have been more, but I got a cut a few weeks ago, so we had to take a little pause.
“Daniel is in the best shape I have seen him in. I’ve always rated him highly, but I think he’s peaked now. Usyk has got his hands full.”
Whilst Dykes is under no illusion regarding the task at hand, he feels that the timing favours ‘Dynamite’ Dubois.
“I love Usyk, he is so talented. I regard him as the greatest of our generation. He is such an intelligent fighter and has done it all. I can see why he is the favourite.
“But I just feel this is Daniel’s time now. He’s 27, Usyk is 38. Daniel is also the hardest single puncher I have ever boxed
“I think he’s going to get it done by stoppage, mid to late rounds.”
The popular Dykes has world title ambitions of his own. As an amateur, he won everything, including the same national championships as Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury at heavyweight.
Since turning professional as a heavyweight 18 months ago, he has cruised to a 6-0 record and been the best-supported boxer on two televised Harlem Eubank cards at the Brighton Arena, selling over 500 tickets on both occasions.
His next move is currently in the works. “I’m going to be fighting at Bridgerweight now,” Harvey added. “Through hard work and an improved diet, I’ve managed to lose a lot of weight. I may even be able to do cruiserweight long term.
“We are working on a few things at the moment, but I’m hoping titles aren’t far away. I’m ready. I need that next step now.”
