- Fury and Usyk will go head to head in a heavyweight rematch in Saudi Arabia
- Dubois wants to fight winner after claiming IBF title after Anthony Joshua win
Daniel Dubois wants Tyson Fury to win for Britain, expects Oleksandr Usyk will win for the higher immediate cause of Ukraine and cannot wait to beat up the pair of them.
He will have to see if Fury defies his prediction in the Kingdom Arena here on Saturday night and goes on to a trilogy decider with Usyk next year.
By way of filling that potential interlude the young Londoner who consecrated his share of the world heavyweight title by flattening Anthony Joshua is shopping for…. a helicopter.
Nothing demonstrates more the change wrought in the previously introverted Dubois by his five knock-down dynamiting of Joshua at Wembley Stadium
He is as likeable as ever. Perhaps even more so. But all the pent up ambition and belief is now bursting out of this 27-year-old like sunshine.
From self-effacing a year ago he now has such confidence as to proclaim almost within earshot of Usyk and Fury: ‘I’m the king now. It’s time for youth to take over.’
Daniel Dubois has revealed who he wants to win between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk
Fury (right) and Usyk (left) will rematch in a heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia on Saturday
He has transitioned from never having a driving license to owning a Porsche, picking out next a Ferrari and… combing helicopter brochures.
‘I honestly fancy one,’ he grins. ‘Only problem is I’m not sure my garden’s big enough.’
The heart is, that’s for certain. He proved that by coming back from a badly shattered eye socket which threatened his career.
He fears no-one and will be at ringside to call out whoever emerges holding the three other belts. ‘May the best man win,’ he says. ‘And may he fight me. I would prefer that to be Usyk because I want to avenge his win over me in Poland when I was denied victory over him by my body punch which put him down being declared low.’
So much for the cleverest and quickest heavyweight of this and many another generation. ‘Something in my heart tells me he will beat Tyson.’
There is no disrespect. Nor was there towards Joshua when he knocked him out. He recalls: ‘My trainers were rushing into the ring to celebrate with me but I pushed them aside so I could go to AJ’s corner first and check he was alright.
‘The public reaction was like a member the Royal family had died. Seemed the whole country was in mourning.’
Dubois knows another Joshua fight could help plug the gap after he defends his IBF title against Joseph Parker in the next Riyadh Season blockbuster on February 22. ‘Where is AJ now?’ he asks impishly. ‘Anyone heard from him? Did I send him to the retirement home?’
He knows must keep fighting at a high level to stay ready for the huge challenge ahead: ‘My sister Caroline and I have achieved our first ambitions by bringing two world titles into the family. Now I want to be indisputed at heavyweight.’
Fewer and fewer of the brotherhood of the ring still doubt he has that in him.
HOW TO WATCH: Register and watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN here
