Daniel Dubois and Shane McGuigan are ‘The A-Team’ ahead of heavyweight return

Daniel Dubois believes he is part of boxing's version of 'The A-Team' now he's joined up with new trainer Shane McGuigan.

The British heavyweight is looking to explode back on the scene this weekend when he returns to the ring against Bogdan Dinu in Telford.

Dubois, 23, saw his stunning rise thrown off course after a shock defeat by Joe Joyce in his 16th pro fight back in November.

But he has teamed up with McGuigan at his base at the University of Kent after switching trainers following the defeat.

And he hopes it will be a partnership which leads him to the top as he put the division on notice that the sport's version of the Special Forces team from the hit TV series is coming for them.

“This is the biggest prize in sport in my opinion, the heavyweight champion,” said Dubois.

“I'm fully up for it and want to go for it and Shane is as well.

“We are the A Team and we are coming for them.”

Dubois split from trainer Martin Bowers before a short stint with Mark Tibbs.

But now believes McGuigan, 32, will get the best out of him after the Kent-based coach led Carl Frampton, Josh Taylor, George Groves and Lawrence Okolie to world titles.

“It's been very good to have Shane on board,” said Dubois.

“He's a world class trainer and probably one of the best in the world, look at the world champions he's had.

“He probably has more knowledge than most trainers out there. What he says I try to put into action.

“He has a young mindset and he brings that to the table.

“He's not one of those old guys who thinks he knows it all, he's got a modern approach to it.

“He's learning off of you and he's teaching you.”

The other added bonus of working with McGuigan is that his dad, Barry, is often in the gym offering advice.

And who better to learn from than the former world featherweight champion.

Dubois added: “Barry is so passionate and to have that knowledgeable head in the gym with a young guy as trainer is just what I love.

“He comes up in sparring and tells me what I need to do, what I can do better.”

Shane himself believes in three weeks he has seen some improvements in his new charge but is hoping there's plenty more to come.

The trainer said: “Dan said we are the new A-Team, did he? Well he looks the part for it today with the sunglasses.

“Hopefully in time we are going to see a big improvement in him.

“I don’t say that to discredit any of the work he did before with Martin Bowers. But sometimes after a loss you feel a watershed moment where you need to reassess.

“If Dan can pick up a few things then you will see a huge improvement and the fact he is only 23 is crazy.”

Source: Read Full Article