Daniel Dubois says he's just getting started, but Joseph Parker is ready to take his moment
Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker quotes
IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois is bullish about his chances ahead of his title match in Riyadh this weekend against New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, live on DAZN, insisting this is the start of a long reign of success.
Dubois won the belt after knocking out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round at Wembley in September 2024 and believes he has more improvement in him ahead of his latest title fight.
Speaking to boxing betting site, Parimatch, Dubois feels he is in great shape ahead of his long-awaited bout against Parker on February 22nd and is ready to show the world his talent on the night dubbed “The Last Crescendo”.
Dubois said: “I won’t let anyone take this away from me. This is the start of my reign and I am on form.
“The aim is to improve on my last fight but this time it has to be better.”
Dubois is just 27, with heavyweights not hitting their prime until their early 30s but the Greenwich-born boxer believes he is hitting his peak time right now.
He added: “I have been doing this since I was really young. Some heavyweights start earlier like Mike Tyson but I feel now is the right time for me and it is now the time to make it count.”
Dubois is part of the legendary Frank Warren’s stable and lauded the promoter as “the best in the world” at what he does.
He also believes that the stars are aligning ahead of the fight and is predicting that he can beat the Kiwi inside three rounds.
Dubois commented: “I just want to entertain the people and make it quick. Three is a good number. I feel like I can outbox him and I have the tools to pull it out the bag whatever way I want.
“I am expecting his best and I am just ready for a fight now.”
WBC International heavyweight champion Joseph Parker believes his preparation has been close to perfect in the lead-up to his title fight in Riyadh this weekend against Daniel Dubois.
Parker last fought in March 2024, beating Zhilel Zhang in the 12th round, also beating Deontay Wilder before that in December 2023 to collect the vacant WBC belt.
Speaking to boxing betting site, Parimatch, Parker feels like his balance in training and family life is excellent at the moment and believes he has come to the boil at the right time.
Parker said: “I have been building away quietly and patiently waiting for a big fight.
“It doesn’t matter that I haven’t been in a big fight for nearly a year and I have kept on top of my conditioning and boxing work too so being out of the ring doesn’t matter. I am ready for this moment.”
Dubois credited his training team of Andy Lee and George Lockhart for the work they have been doing and said he wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for that duo.
He added: “If it wasn’t for Andy and George I wouldn’t be here.
“The work I do with Andy in the combinations, techniques and skills and the work with George around endurance and nutrition has to be completely right. This is why I am beaming with confidence as there is nothing more I can do and I am ready to go.
“Everything under Andy and George has gone up. I have always had hard work but finding that balance was key and everything is very good.”
Experts believe that a shorter fight suits Dubois whilst a longer match plays into Parker’s hands but the Kiwi disagrees with that assessment.
He commented: “I don’t go along with that. I can have this fight early, late or in the middle. I am ready to go all rounds as my conditioning is better than it has been.”
Oleksandr Usyk has also confirmed he wants to fight the winner of this match but Parker didn’t want to look too far ahead.
“I am just focused on this fight”, Parker said.
“I just want to focus on Daniel Dubois and all other fights will follow.”
