Dubois is the most exciting and dangerous of the new heavyweight generation

12/18/2021

The young heavyweights are coming. Last weekend Jared Anderson evoked America’s 1970s golden age with his 11 ^th win, all by KO, in the mecca that is Madison Square Garden.

The week before that Croatian giant Filip Hrgovic made it 14 and 0 with his 12 ^th KO against unbeaten prospect Emir Ahmatovic in Las Vegas.

Anderson started beating the drum for a match with Daniel Dubois, who was scheduled to fight this weekend in Tampa, after flooring Oleksandr Teslenko.

Dubois is now set to return in the New Year. It’s easy to call people out. Anderson can mouth all he likes but when it comes right down to it, would he accept it? I don’t think so.

Anderson is promising for sure. He’s quick with good movement and fast hands and has been sparring with Tyson Fury, which gives him kudos.

But you have to look past the hype. Knocking over stooges proves nothing. He beat a body inside two rounds in New York, but that’s okay. His promoter Bob Arum, who started out with Muhammad Ali, is trying to build the next great American heavyweight. That’s the game.

Dubois fears nobody, and for me is still the most dangerous young heavyweight in the world. The fight that would suit him best is Deontay Wilder, not that the fallen American would take it.

Hrgovic is also a brilliant talent but he can’t punch like Dubois. People will say after Dubois’ defeat to Joe Joyce that Hrgovic is the more likely one to succeed.

I don’t agree. I see Dubois every day in the gym. There is so much more to come.

Joyce, though older in calendar years, is justifiably at the front of the class of 2016 to challenge for a world title.

Both Joyce and Hrgovic are nursing the same grudge after losing controversially to Tony Yoka in the Rio Olympic final and semi-final respectively.

It’s fascinating to see the Rio medallists – Yoka, takes on Martin Bakole next month – flourishing in the pros.

Frank Sanchez, a 29-year-old Miami- based Cuban émigré, is another worth watching after his shut out against formerly unbeaten Nigerian Efe Ajagba in Las Vegas.

The division is brimming with hunger and desire. And the emergence of Oleksandr Usyk, coming up from cruiserweight, has spiced the picture even further.

With the greatest of respect to Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker, who fight in Manchester on Saturday, and even Dillian Whyte, who has been made to wait too long for his shot at a world title, they don’t have the same potential.

People love watching big blokes knocking each other about so they will always attract attention, but it is the young superstars coming through that make the division so exciting, and despite the claims of Anderson and Hrgovic, it is Dubois who excites me most.

Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym

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