Joshua vs Dubois: How champion Dubois went from shy teenager to heavyweight star
A naive and bewildered Daniel Dubois turned to his father for support when asked to share his dreams and aspirations.
The teenager was giving his first interview to Queensberry Promotions after joining Frank Warren’s stable.
Dubois’ timid demeanour conflicted with his imposing 6ft 4in muscular figure.
He was the home-schooled introvert who could complete five hours of push-ups a day from the age of five – and there was little time for friendship or socialising.
So when Dubois hurtled into the limelight of pro boxing aged 19, it was very much a case of boy meets world.
Seven years later, though, Dubois has transformed from a sheepish, sometimes voiceless, character to a fighter demanding respect.
“You don’t intimidate me. Who do you think you are?” he barked at Anthony Joshua during a behind-doors face-off.
On Saturday, in front of a post-war British boxing record crowd of 96,000, Dubois continues his boxing journey in a world-title defence against compatriot Joshua at Wembley Stadium.
“I always thought he’d be a future champion, but I’ve really seen him change from that shrinking violet who first stepped into my office,” Warren reflects.
BBC Sport speaks to members of the boxing fraternity with first-hand accounts of Dubois’ ascent from a shy prospect to the peak of the heavyweight division.
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