Boxing Scene looks forward to each day of action ahead of the 5×5 action at Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Arena, previewing one of the key bouts culminating in Saturday's WBA light heavyweight title defence between Dmitry Bivol and Mirakh Zinad.
Daniel Dubois faces the more experienced Filip Hrgovic in a heavyweight showdown on Saturday (June 1), with Dubois unlikely to win.
The Croatian Hrgovic is considered one of the best heavyweight contenders in the world and a front-runner for the IBF title – it remains to be seen whether the title will be on the line in Saturday's bout, with Oleksandr Usyk looking to defend his unbeaten title – while Dubois, perhaps harshly, is seen as mentally fragile.
Last time, Dubois was able to show his critics his mettle by stopping big-mouthed Jarrell Miller with time remaining in a 10-round bout on Dec. 23, surviving several hard-fought rounds to emerge victorious.
But the Briton has a record of 20-2 (19 knockouts) and, at 26, is still young in the heavyweight division, and the loss has tarnished his reputation.
He missed 2020 after suffering a serious eye injury in his win over Joe Joyce and fought to even terms with Usyk last year, only to run out of steam in the ninth round.
Miller launched a foul-mouthed attack that Dubois weathered, while Hrgovic launched another psychological challenge, claiming that he had hurt Dubois during a sparring session years ago.
Dubois appears to have been aware at the time that he was being bossed, but this was due to his inexperience and youth.
Now, like a bullied kid taking on his tormentor years later, Dubois has outgrown his former timid youth and is trying to put the ghosts of his former intimidators in the rearview mirror. Facing an old foe is never easy, but it's even harder when it's the best heavyweight in the world and the heavy favorite to face him.
But Dubois has the advantage of fear and will be emboldened by Miller’s experience and his so-called capitulations to Usyk and Joyce.
As trainer Steven Edwards wrote in a weekly magazine, he may be galvanized by these losses. Boxing Scene Mailbag Dubois may have what “Breadman” called a “pride heart” last weekend, as he explained the fighting spirit that boxers have.
“These fighters, after experiencing moments they were not proud of, were prepared to lay down their lives for their pride the next time they faced a tough moment,” Edwards writes. “For example, Vitali Klitschko had to give up his bout with Chris Byrd because of an arm injury. He was winning and was criticized. When he faced adversity in his next bout against Lennox Lewis, he lose “He was missing an eye, and I think that had a direct impact on Bird's fight.”
Dubois indicated to Miller that he was prepared to go to the well.
The issue here is that Hrgovic is better than Miller, but Dubois' punching power is fearsome, as can be attested by those who have seen it, even the trainers behind the gloves and body protectors.
The human face just wasn't made for such shots, and Dubois will never be written off for that.
The psychology of Hrgovic-Dubois is fascinating.
Along with fellow 5×5 heavyweights Deontay Wilder and Jiray Zhang, they were interviewed in a roundtable format by TNT Sports, with the Croatian being asked what he saw in Dubois.
“I look at big biceps, but not big testicles. You don't fight with your biceps, you fight with your testicles and your heart,” Hrgovic said.
There were some tense exchanges between them on the show.
Dubois: “Let's find out about that. Let's find out who has the heart. Let's put this motherfucker to sleep.”
Hrgovic: “I can't wait. I want that to happen. I'm going to be aggressive, I'm going to counter, and you're going to sleep.”
Dubois: “Not at all. I'm ready to go out there and put on a show and put him to sleep.”
Hrgovic felt he could beat anyone in the world and told Dubois he “nearly beat me.”
He then asked if Dubois had gone to the hospital after the sparring session. Dubois shook his head. “Why would you lie?” Hrgovic asked.
Dubois: “I was 17.”
Hrgovic: “You weren't 17. How old are you now?”
Dubois: “It doesn't matter who I was anymore. How did that sparring session end?”
Hostility has been simmering just below the surface and could spill over on Saturday.
Dubois' promoter Frank Warren acknowledged the London native was “getting the fight of his life” but added: “Now is his time.”
The 31-year-old Hrgovic doesn't think so. The Zagreb native is 17-0 (14 KOs) and dominated Mark de Mori in the same bout on Dec. 23 that Dubois beat Miller.
The biggest win of Hrgovic's career was the aforementioned victory over Chang, but it was a close and controversial win, even though he was never at the front of anyone's fight line.
Hrgovic is sturdy, unconventional, has good bodywork, and although he was shaken and taken down by Chang (no shame in that), he uses quick hands and sets up his shots well when he gets the upper hand.
Speed could be a factor. If Hrgovic gets the first punch and gets ahead of Dubois, Dubois's strength will be for naught, but if Hrgovic lingers too long in close range, Dubois could pay the price.
Dubois is sparring well in his third bout with London heavyweight specialist Don Charles, but Hrgovic's talent is also hard to ignore: he won gold at the 2015 European Amateur Championships and bronze at the 2016 Olympics, losing a close decision to eventual winner Toni Yoka, who is currently trained by Charles.
Dubois is likely a much more vigorous underdog than people realize, and it's tempting to expect an upset, but I expect Hrgovic to overcome his shaky period and ultimately win by decision with the card score at around 116-112.
