Dubois v Lartey - Big Fight Preview & Prediction. Credit: Frank Warren
The BT Sport cameras are at Wembley Arena this Saturday night, for a busy night of action in the Capital. The bill is topped by Heavyweight hope, Daniel Dubois, as the 21 year old continues his education, and what he hopes will be a step closer towards much stiffer tests to come domestically before the year is out.
It’s hardly an inspired choice of opponent this weekend, as Ghanian, Richard Lartey is the latest man looking to derail the Dubois express.
Here I preview and predict the main event.
Daniel Dubois (10-0, KO9) v Richard Lartey (14-1, KO11) – 10 Rounds, Heavyweight
Daniel Dubois’ goes on little more than a marking time mission on Saturday, as he looks to collide with his major domestic opponents this year.
The Commonwealth Champion, Joe Joyce, is expected to be ringside at Wembley Arena, as he and Dubois have been nominated to contest the vacant British Title. Whether this will come to fruition is a different matter, with Joyce well into his thirties, and looking to take a fast track to world level. There is also fellow domestic rival, Nathan Gorman, who looks a more likely option down the line for Dubois, as both are represented by the same promotional banner under Frank Warren.
His opposition in London will be provided by Richard Lartey, a barely known quantity from Accra, Ghana. He has only been beaten once, and has only fought outside his home country once too, which caused his sole career defeat. That was back in December 2014, when he ventured to Switzerland to face unbeaten Swiss prospect, Ergun Mersin, retiring due to injury after five rounds while well behind.
Dubois blasted Razvan Cojanu out inside two rounds. Credit: talkSPORT
Lartey is the current holder of the WBO African Title, stopping Morris Okola in ten rounds in his most recent contest on Christmas Eve of 2018. The African has already talked of making a huge statement against Dubois, and will obviously see this fight as a meal ticket to the big time. “Triple D” Dubois has been on a fast track to the top since his debut in April 2017. He is already an English, Southern Area and WBC Youth Heavyweight Champion, as well as possessing a 90% knockout ratio in his ten fights thus far.
The Londoner’s knockout streak was ended at the back end of 2018, when the Wiley veteran, Kevin Johnson took him the full ten rounds in a forgettable contest in Leicester. It was, however, a valuable learning experience for Dubois, who never lost a round, but was kept up to his work by the American. His last outing was just over a month ago, when he blasted former WBO Title challenger, Razvan Cojanu out inside two rounds at the iconic Royal Albert Hall.
Prediction
I don’t envisage Lartey causing Dubois much trouble at all, although he may come with some ambition to begin with. I think once Lartey feels Dubois’ power, this ambition will be quickly extinguished. Dubois carries massive power in both hands, and will agin seek an early nights work. The pick is for Daniel to come through within the first four rounds, although victory inside two would not come as a surprise. Dubois and Joyce should then come face to face post fight to start the hype for their summer showdown.
What is your prediction? – Let us know in the comment section below.
