Daniel Dubois is gearing up for a return with the goal of becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion. Derek Chisora believes he must navigate that journey very carefully.
The 28-year-old Brit was elevated to IBF champion during a string of three impressive victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, though lost his belt via stoppage to the man who had vacated it, Oleksandr Usyk, when they faced off at Wembley Stadium.
Following a break and recovery from a minor injury, Dubois switched his training team to work out of Tony Sims’ Essex gym. Months later, he announced he had made a u-turn and would return to Don Charles, who orchestrated those statement wins mentioned above.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Chisora first reacted to the news that Dubois has returned to Charles – a trainer he knows well himself.
“Daniel is a particular guy. He meant Don is good for him so they can practice what they practice for longer. Remember, when he’s training with Tony, he’s got half an hour before Tony moves onto somebody else. So, it’s good for Daniel that he went back to Don.”
Asked about the potential of a Zhilei Zhang fight, said to be the top option for Dubois’ return, Chisora sent a stern warning.
“Nah, he’s not fighting Zhilei Zhang. F–k that. Zhilei Zhang will knock him out … This is what I said to Frank, what are we trying to do here, get him killed? Give him another easy fight, build him up, and then that’s it.”
Zhang, 42, is a dangerous puncher who halted the progress of Joe Joyce back in 2023 with two stoppage victories, the second being particularly brutal. Following a close loss to Joseph Parker, he demolished Deontay Wilder inside five rounds only to be stopped himself in his last contest by Agit Kabayel.
With a return imminent and time not on his side, Zhang is calling loudly for the Dubois fight. Fans will find out in the coming days and weeks whether or not the Brit’s team takes what Chisora deems to be a step too far for a comeback bout.
