Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker have come face to face for the first time since their upcoming title fight was announced. The two heavyweights will clash on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of a packed card that also features the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch.
The fighters crossed paths in Saudi Arabia while attending the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch. Dubois, the current IBF Heavyweight Champion, approached Parker and simply said, "Let's go." This brief encounter sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting battle between two top heavyweights.
Dubois has made quite a name for himself recently. He's racked up back-to-back wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, which led to him becoming the interim IBF heavyweight champion. He was later elevated to full champion status. In his first title defense, Dubois shocked many by knocking out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium. These accomplishments have cemented his place as one of the best heavyweights in the world today.
Parker, a former WBO heavyweight champion, has also been on a roll. He's scored impressive points wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang in the past 12 months. The New Zealander first won the WBO title back in 2016 but lost it in a unification battle with Anthony Joshua.
In an interview with The Stomping Ground, Dubois showed respect for his opponent while expressing confidence in his own abilities.
"He's the veteran in this fight. I look at him as a veteran, a guy that's been through many wars. It's not going to be an easy fight. As a champion I've always been taking harder and harder fights, stepping up, and this sort of fight will prepare me for an undisputed showdown. Let's go."
The winner of this fight will likely face the victor of the Usyk vs Fury rematch, making the stakes even higher for both Dubois and Parker.
Dave Allen, a British heavyweight who has sparred with Dubois, has given his prediction for the fight. Allen's insights will be valuable given his firsthand experience with Dubois's skills in the ring.
As the fight date approaches, fans can expect more buildup and analysis of this exciting heavyweight clash. Both Dubois and Parker have proven themselves at the highest level, and their meeting in the ring promises to be a thrilling contest.
