15 December 2023 , 13:00
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It’s make or break for Daniel Dubois in Saudi Arabia. A third defeat next week could mean the end of his world title ambitions.
Though Dubois has the punch to trouble any, there are questions about his stamina and mentality that were exposed in the defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce.
Jarrell Miller is nobody’s idea of a force for good in boxing. A repeat drugs offender and an unpleasant character. I would not have him anywhere near the sport. But some in boxing obviously feel differently. And Miller, undefeated in 27 bouts, has to be considered a genuine threat to Dubois.
We know Dubois has lights-out power, but he perhaps lacks ring IQ. If you get beyond the halfway stage against him you have chance.
George Foreman was the same, albeit in a different league to Dubois. Foreman could be devastating early. The punch that lifted Joe Frazier off his feet was one of the most astonishing in history.
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He also smashed through Ken Norton. Against Muhammed Ali it was different. He ran out of gas and resistance and was picked off.
Stamina and conditioning are vital for Dubois. He also has to believe in himself. There must be lingering doubts after the defeats to Joyce and Usyk. In the final seconds of both bouts he seemed to doubt himself.
He has such qualities, but he has to get out of his own way and learn to pass the stress tests, those moments when you are hurting but need to go again.
Oleksandr Usyk dropped and stopped Daniel Dubois (Getty Images)Miller is vast, a huge lump at 6ft 4ins and 23 stone. It must be like punching a wall. If you don’t expose chinks and he just keeps coming, that can be debilitating.
Miller has quick hands for one so big. He follows you about the ring like a giant iceberg. With his ability to take a shot he is a hard fight for anybody, particularly Dubois who has struggled against pressure fighters.
Joyce just kept coming. Usyk did it differently, in an out, but ultimately he was always in front of him. In the end both overwhelmed Dubois in their different ways. So much of this game is in your head.
It’s the hurt business. All fighters take punishment. You have to be able to absorb it and battle on. It’s not meant to be easy and if you don’t believe in yourself you have no chance under pressure.
For Dubois this fight is with himself as much as Miller. And he has to win it.
Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone @McGuigans_Gym