Daniel Dubois was visibly blown away after Joseph Parker’s trainer Andy Lee put it on him regarding his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Dubois will make a second defence of his IBF heavyweight world title in a huge heavyweight tilt with Joseph Parker on February 22.
‘Dynamite’ has been on a fantastic run of form since his stoppage defeat to Usyk in August 2023, beating Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and most recently Anthony Joshua.
The IBF king sat opposite his opponent in a face-off alongside promoter of both fighters Frank Warren, and Parker’s trainer Lee was also present.
Things got spiky at the table as verbal barbs began flying between the two teams in an attempt to rattle each other’s cages.
But in the most notable moment of the verbal sparring match, it was Lee who managed to get under Dubois’ skin.
He said: “There is a lot of talk of Daniel fighting Usyk, and you fought him already. In that fight, you went down with a jab.
“The fight ended off a jab. What was going through your mind at the time?
“If you’re in the same position with Joe, how are you going to face that?”
Dubois was taken aback by the question and afforded a wry smile, but was unable to conjure up a reply.
He looked across to his long-term promoter Frank Warren who interjected and did the talking.
Warren responded: “I hear what you’re saying, and it’s a valid point. They’re trying to get under your skin. So, it’s a valid point.
DAZNDubois had little to say on his defeat to Usyk but eventually chimed in[/caption]
“I get that and understand, but do you know what? You’ve got to look at the form at the moment.”
After the point was made, Dubois finally hit back at the trash talk, insisting his recent form proves Lee’s point about the Usyk defeat irrelevant.
He also replied: “That was a completely different situation. You saw what I did to my last three opponents.”
Lee continued: “When you’re in the same position and under the same position, you’ll revert back to type. Let’s look at the fights.”
But Dubois turned things on their head, taking aim at Lee’s boxing career concluding: “Maybe you would revert back to type.
“I’ve seen your career. I’ve seen you fight. You probably would, but not me.”
DAZNWarren’s interjection broke the awkward silence and Dubois then responded[/caption]
The British title holder has certainly improved as a talker, and has stepped out of his shell both inside and outside of the squared circle.
Dubois was also perhaps unlucky in his clash with Usyk, given he dropped the Ukrainian, but the shot was deemed as a controversial low blow.
Nonetheless he was eventually stopped himself, but he has not shied away from the challenge, calling out his fellow champion for a rematch this year.
Usyk has also shown he is the man to beat in the division, having also beaten Joshua and Tyson Fury twice.
Should Dubois have his hand raised against the rugged New Zealander, ‘The Cat’ could lay in waiting.
