British heavyweight sensation Dangerous Daniel Dubois ready to show the world the tricks he learnt from ‘very funny character’ Tyson Fury
But after a rumoured six-figure offer from promoter Frank Warren the London heavyweight makes his highly anticipated professional debut at the Manchester Arena on Saturday
DANIEL DUBOIS cannot wait to be unleashed this weekend – after learning a few tricks from Tyson Fury.
The London heavyweight makes his highly anticipated professional debut at the Manchester Arena on Saturday as part of the card topped by Terry Flanagan's world title clash with Petr Petrov.
Dubois' decision to turn pro earlier this year sent eyebrows skywards given he had only six senior amateur bouts in his life.
Plus the 6ft 7in puncher was already being hotly tipped to claim gold for Team GB at Rio 2020.
But after a rumoured six-figure offer from promoter Frank Warren, the freshly dubbed 'Dangerous Dan' decided to ditch the vest and start punching for pay.
He told Sun Sport: “A lot of people questioned my decision to turn over but it was right for me.
“I'm slowly building up to my debut, slowly getting ready and trying to prepare myself mentally so I can enjoy the whole experience.
“It's a new experience for me anyway. I am going to take it with both hands."
At just 19, he has been doing his learning on the job by securing as much world-class sparring as he possibly can.
During his time with the GB squad, Dubois sparred countless rounds with IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua as well as elite amateurs Joe Joyce and Frazer Clarke.
Dubois said: “Tyson was... put it this way, he is a very, very funny character.
“It was good to see the world champion, or former world champion, up close. It was a good experience.
“It is something that I can only learn from, to see some of his tricks and moves.
“Hopefully he's on his way back now - he adds more attention to the heavyweight division when he opens up his big mouth.
“He is massive too, huge shoulders.”
But it was not just Fury's shoulders which looked massive – as the 28-year-old has piled on the pounds during his hiatus from the ring.
And Dubois, in headguard and groin protector, cut a relatively slender figure in comparison.
The softly-spoken teenager had headed up to Bolton in order to help Fury's younger cousin, Hughie, prepare for his upcoming crack at the WBO heavyweight title.
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He added: “I only did one round with Tyson, he just wanted to jump in and move around - I mainly sparred Hughie.
“It was a great experience, they are both well into their professional careers but I did well, acquitted myself well so it's a good sign for me.
“While Tyson is this big, big man, Hughie is the opposite, slim and not as tall. He's got good speed, good boxing ability and a good boxing brain.
“I suppose he works on his speed more, slowly wearing a fighter down rather than trying to blast people out.
“I feel like I learned so much just from that session. I felt like I absorbed something. Hughie was so quick and crafty in the ring.
“I feel like I've nicked something off of that. I did eight rounds each day – then also the one with Tyson.
“It was almost like a fight. Both young, both want to prove ourselves. It was good, we brought the best out of each other.”
Now Dubois will be hoping to put some of what he learned into practice when he heads north to Manchester this week.
He has had to deal with a late change of opponent, too, with 1-0 Marcus Kelly now lying in wait.
Dubois said: "I just need to know I've done all the work, ticked all the boxes, so there are no unanswered questions when I go in there.
“The more I'm in the gym, the more confident of that I get. Trips like the one to Bolton only help that.
“There is no shadow of a doubt that I'm ready.”
For tickets to see Dubois in action on Saturday, go to evetim.co.uk or The fight is also live on BoxNation and BT Sport.