Daniel Dubois left his mark on US soil and will no doubt be welcomed back with open arms.
Dubois (17-1, 16 KOs) left the crowd inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse elated after he knocked down Joe Cusumano three times in a first round blowout to mark his debut in the USA on the undercard of Jake Paul’s split decision win over Tyron Woodley.
The 23-year-old showed the kind of devastating power which has been key in fast ascent up the heavyweight division with Cusumano (19-4, 17 KOs), who had never previously been stopped before unable to withstand the punishment, despite displaying immense bravery.
‘Dynamite’ was caught himself as the brave American attempted to fight back amid the onslaught, but finished proceedings with a kind of statement victory that will be well received by the US audience on SHOWTIME, whom he has one more fight remaining with.
Stiffer tests are around the corner, but the confidence and momentum is seemingly back with the Londoner with two victories since his first professional defeat to Joe Joyce last November and two wins under trainer Shane McGuigan.
Dubois is closing in on a world title shot, but who could be next for ‘DDD’?
Daniel Dubois gets the first round KO 🧨
(via @ShowtimeBoxing)pic.twitter.com/SOZrZNJuw4
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 30, 2021
Trevor Bryan
A fight with WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight champion, Trevor Bryan appears the most likely option and one that makes sense.
“Trevor Bryan. He’s got a title, I want him next,” Dubois said in his post-fight interview.
The Brit is the number one ranked contender with the WBA, although is not the interim champion anymore following the governing body’s decision last week to remove all interim titles.
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The WBA announced that former interim champions would be considered as mandatory challengers to fight as an official challenger or in an elimination bout.
If the governing body do determine Dubois as mandatory to Bryan (21-0, 15 KOs) the clash is likely to happen next.
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Bryan, 32, won the vacant title with an eleventh round stoppage win over Bermane Stiverne in January and is undefeated in 21 fights, although this does seem a very winnable bout for Dubois who has been in with the better quality of opposition.
Luis Ortiz
If Dubois does not secure a world title shot next, a meeting with Luis Ortiz could be an option.
Ortiz (32-2, 27 KOs) is the third ranked contender with the WBA and a bout could be sanctioned as an eliminator with the number two rated contender, Oleksandr Usyk facing unified champion, Anthony Joshua on September 25.
The Cuban has substantial experience as both an amateur and a professional and was in control of his rematch with Deontay Wilder before succumbing to a seventh round knockout loss.
Ortiz bounced back from that defeat with a swift first round blowout of Alexander Flores in November, but has been out of the ring since.
At 42-years-old, he is reaching the twilight years of his career and for ‘Triple D’ it would seem an opportunity to gain further experience before fighting for a world title.
Charles Martin
Former world champion, Charles Martin could be an alternative for Dubois.
Martin (28-2-1, 25 KOs) is the fifth rated contender with the WBA and like Ortiz could be called as an eliminator, particularly with fourth ranked contender, Andy Ruiz Jr currently recovering from knee surgery.
‘Prince Charles’ has two defeats on his slate, losing his IBF belt to Anthony Joshua in 2016 as well as a decision reverse to Adam Kownacki in 2018, but has won three on the bounce since including a sixth round knockout of Gerald Washington.
The 35-year-old has been vocal in his desire to face Dubois’ compatriot and WBC interim champion, Dillian Whyte, however a showdown with ‘Dynamite’ would be another opportunity to edge closer to world level.
Martin has a high knockout percentage with 25 of his 28 victories coming inside the distance, making for a potentially exciting meeting with Dubois who has a near 90% knockout ratio.
