While former IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois plots his return to the ring under new trainer Tony Sims, his former cornerman has offered a bullish assessment of how his ex-charge would fare against the division’s leading names.
Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) has been inactive since his disastrous defeat to Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium last summer. It was another masterful performance from the Ukrainian, but the night was also overshadowed by criticism aimed at Dubois following a pre-fight party that drew widespread disapproval across the boxing community.
As Usyk celebrated becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, Dubois opted for wholesale change. He parted company with lead trainer Don Charles and coach Kieran Farrell and has since linked up with Conor Benn’s trainer Tony Sims. A move Dubois believes can spark another title-winning run.
Charles has already spoken publicly about the split and has now appeared on talkSPORT as a guest on Simon Jordan’s talkBOXING show.
During the discussion, Jordan referenced comments from Dubois’ manager Sam Jones, who has alluded to a potential clash with newly crowned WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley (20-0-1, 19 KOs), and asked Charles whether he felt that was a sensible route for the 28-year-old.
Charles did not hesitate.
“Daniel beats every other heavyweight. He beats every heavyweight but the man [Usyk] who’s beaten him twice. I’m not involved anymore. Again, I can speak as an outsider.”
Charles opted not to include Tyson Fury in that assessment, explaining that he preferred to focus on fighters with long careers still ahead of them.
“All the current live heavyweights who are coming through, Daniel still walks through all of them.”
That confidence extended to Wardley, who has built a reputation for proving doubters wrong. None more so than when he defeated former champion and leading contender Joseph Parker last October. Charles was asked if he thought Dubois would beat Wardley should they fight.
“Most definitely. Easy work. I can say that for a lot of reasons.”
Charles’ belief in Dubois was a constant during a career-best run that culminated in the Briton’s fearless triumph over Anthony Joshua in September 2024. With the Usyk setback now behind him, Dubois will hope the influence of Sims and his stable can help him re-establish himself as a major force at heavyweight once again.
