Daniel Dubois gets ready to defend his IBF Heavyweight World Title against Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight will be Dubois' second defense of the belt.
Two-weight world champion Lawrence Okolie shared his thoughts on the matchup. Okolie, who recently moved up to heavyweight himself, has sparred with both fighters and knows their styles well.
Speaking to Box Nation, Okolie suggested Dubois should stick to what's been working for him lately:
"He has to approach it the same way he has all his other fights lately, which is really consistent pressure with the jab and punching with [his opponent]. That's his best option."
But Okolie thinks Parker's style could be tricky for Dubois. He pointed out how Parker has dealt with big punchers before:
"I think Parker's got one of the worst styles for someone like Dan. He's been in there with Zhang, with Wilder who are two massive punchers, although they are long punchers, he nullified them and got the decision against both. It's very possible he can do the same with Dan unless Dan's able to get to him."
When it comes to picking a winner, Okolie leans slightly towards Dubois because of his recent run. But he's not sure:
"In his recent fights it's been big heavyweights that will slow down and start allowing him to touch them. And when Dan starts touching people he knows what his punch can do. I just wonder if Parker's going to be a little bit too far out of range. A bit too cute. The rounds start escaping you and then you start having to get a KO as opposed to boxing towards one.
Who am I leaning towards? Dubois because of his run of form… It's a tough one, it's a hard one to say. I can see how either one of them wins quite easily."
The Dubois-Parker fight will be the chief support to the undisputed light-heavyweight rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.
Okolie recently made his own heavyweight debut with a big knockout win, showing he's got the power to compete in the division.
