Daniel Dubois will make the second defence of his IBF Heavyweight World Title against former champion Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
One man who knows the fighters better than most is Lawrence Okolie, who has sparred both men.
Speaking to Box Nation, Okolie drew on his experiences in the gym before rating their chances come fight night. He says Dubois must consistently pressure Parker.
“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.”
However, the two-weight world champion and recent heavyweight debutant doesn’t like the style match-up for Dubois.
“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.”
Okolie struggled to pick a winner but sides ever so slightly with Dubois.
“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. If you can call a former world champion a banana skin, it’s a potential banana skin.”
“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.”
