Two years later, Dubois was knocked down three times in the opening round against Kevin Lerena in which he tore his ACL, in what was an unexpectedly dramatic win, before jumping straight into a world-title bout against Usyk, when he again watched from a kneeled position as the referee’s count reached ten.
Dubois sent Joshua crashing to the canvas in the first round and then three more times in a stunning display of brutal power before the referee stepped in to wave the fight off.
Dubois’ run of statement wins against Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua has come at an opportune time, as the heavyweight division undergoes somewhat of a changing of the guard.
Whether Fury stays away or not, the pool of household names to challenge for Dubois’ world title is not as significant as it would have been three years ago.
The ring below and the long sandpit running alongside it, used for barefoot shadow-boxing sessions, have provided the foundations for Dubois’ world-title defence against Joseph Parker on Saturday night.
