Daniel Dubois will be looking for an explosive end to the year when he takes on Kyotaro Fujimoto in his defence of the WBO international heavyweight title at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night.
Destructive Dubois closing in on world title shot
While Anthony Joshua has reclaimed his world heavyweight titles after victory against Andy Ruiz Jr, there is another huge British talent emerging with Dubois poised for global success.
The 22-year-old has swept aside his opponents, winning all 13 of his professional bouts. Only one of these did not finish inside the distance with Dubois’s destructive power overwhelming fighters.
This hugely talented heavyweight will be looking to make a statement this weekend and is focused on challenging for a world title next year.
Greenwich boxer Dubois defeated his first eight opponents by knockout before coming up against American veteran Kevin Johnson last year. Dubois dominated the ten rounds but had to settle for his first win on points.
‘Dynamite’ Dubois stopped Razvan Cojanu in the second round to win the WBO European title in March.
Dubois claimed the British title in July as he ended Nathan Gorman’s unbeaten record with an impressive fifth-round stoppage at the O2 Arena.
The fierce puncher was last in action in September with Dubois ruthlessly beating Ebenezer Tetteh in the first round at the Royal Albert Hall.
Fujimoto faces huge challenge to upset favourite
Fujimoto makes his European debut this weekend with the fight in London and the Japanese heavyweight faces an almighty task to pull off an upset.
The 33-year-old has a professional record of 21 wins, with 13 inside the distance, and one defeat.
Fujimoto was beaten by Solomon Haumono in 2012 after being stopped in the fifth round of their contest.
He has won every fight since then and his last five victories have all seen him stop his opponent.
Fujimoto’s only bout this year was in October with a sixth-round stoppage victory against Thailand boxer Suthat Kalalek.
Dubois v Fujimoto: The verdict
This looks like a huge mismatch and the odds reflect this with Dubois virtually unbackable at odds of 1/100. Fujimoto is dismissed as a no-hoper with 16/1 available on the outsider.
Dubois is clearly a heavyweight boxer going places and a dominant performance is expected with his ambitions set on winning a world title in 2020.
The British fighter has a superb 92.31 percent knockout ratio and it would be a major surprise if he fails to stop his latest opponent.
Fujimoto has never faced anyone with the talent of Dubois and is likely to be out of his depth at the Copper Box Arena.
It is a very short price on Dubois winning by stoppage and this looks a case of assessing when the fight will be over.
Fujimoto merits respect but is likely to find Dubois far too powerful and athletic. There is a gulf in size with 6ft 5in Dubois towering over the Japanese heavyweight.
Two of Dubois’ last three fights have been stopped between the fourth and sixth round. The British boxer will not be rash and could take a few rounds to unleash his powerful shots but expect him to end the contest by the middle of the scheduled 12 rounds.
Tip: Total Rounds: Over 2.5
21/10
