BoxRec

Press Release | WBA Interim-Title at Stake

DANIEL DUBOIS WILL make his long-awaited return to the ring on Saturday June 5 with a challenge for the vacant WBA Interim heavyweight title against the towering Romanian Bogdan Dinu.

The 23-year-old Dubois was last in action at the end of November 2020 in a multi-titled collision with fellow Brit Joe Joyce in London. An absorbing battle came to a halt when Dubois, who suffered a horrific eye injury, removed himself from further danger by taking a knee in the 10th round.

It was later confirmed that he had sustained significant damage to his orbital bone and taking himself out of the firing line almost certainly preserved his career and protected against an even more serious injury.

Having now been given the all-clear from specialists, the 15-1 Dubois is ready to pick up where he left off prior to the Joyce fight and get back into the business of winning titles. Dubois is formerly the holder of the WBC Youth world, the Southern Area, English, British, WBO European, WBO Global, WBO International, Commonwealth and WBC Silver belts.

Dinu, 34, from Bucharest, holds a record of 20-2, with 16 of his wins coming via knockout. The 6ft 5" puncher, ranked #2 by the WBA, returned to winning ways with two KO victories after suffering his only career losses in the USA when he went up against the unbeaten ex-contender Jarrell Miller and the hugely experienced campaigner Kubrat Pulev.

The show will be co-promoted by Dinu's US promotional vehicle, Greg Cohen Promotions.

"I am excited to be back in the ring on June 5 after the frustration of being kept out of the gym and doing what I love to do for a number of months after my last fight," said Dubois.

"This is my chance to remind people of what I am really about, which is winning fights in a devastating fashion. I don't need to make any excuses for the Joe fight because everybody could see the issue with my vision, but Joe won fair and square and we move on.

"Time is on my side but I don't intend to slow down my progress and I am more than happy to be returning to the ring in a big title fight that puts me right back in the picture.

"I respect Dinu and accept that he could provide a tough test, but I can only see one outcome and that is me leaving the ring with another major championship belt for my collection."

Dinu, who last fought in October 2020 with a second round stoppage, said: “This is the most important fight for me and I will be prepared for a war in the ring. It's my perfect moment to win and to get to the big fights. I'm fighting in London to become the first Romanian heavyweight champion of the world.”

Promoter Frank W added: “I’m delighted to get this fight over the line for Daniel and really pleased to be working with Greg Cohen on this event. A win for Daniel in this Interim title fight will see him become the mandatory challenger for the WBA world title and, if he can get past Dinu on June 5, he is back in contention and right in the mix with the top contenders.

"It is an opportunity for Daniel to post a 'business as usual' statement to the public and the rest of the heavyweight division following his setback against Joe. Daniel's enthusiasm to reach the very top has not diminished in the slightest and, even though it is a bit of an old cliche, it is true that he will only learn and benefit from the experience of taking a first loss and rebuilding from it.

"Dinu is a high quality and respected opponent who in no way can Daniel take lightly. It is exactly the sort of challenge he needs at this stage in his career. Daniel achieved so much, so early on his professional journey and remains so young in heavyweight terms.

"There will be significant pressure on Daniel coming back after a first defeat and the focus will be right on him to see how he reacts. He is returning in a big fight, everything will be on the line and the prize on offer is a shot at the world title."

Greg Cohen, founder and CEO of Greg Cohen Promotions, said: “This is the career defining bout that Bogdan Dinu has been waiting for his entire life. The opportunity to not only fight for, but WIN a WBA Heavyweight Title, against a top rated and well respected fighter in Daniel Dubois will put Bogdan at the top of the heavyweight division and open the doors to mega fights for him in the near future. His entire team has been assisting him in preparing for this moment and he will undoubtedly seize the moment. It won’t be easy, but the years of hard work, sacrifice and experience are going to pay off.

"I’d like to thank the entire team at Queensberry for their professionalism and assistance in making this bout a reality. I’d also like to thank Sorin Florea, Bogdan’s long time manager from Romania who’s support, attention to detail and class are always instrumental and appreciated. We look forward to a great night of boxing and a spectacular heavyweight matchup!”

Is this the middle fight Sam Jones was talking about?

Dinu might give him a little bit of trouble before getting KO'd. Dinu is an ok technical boxer but he has no power and chin/heart. Would be one of the best wins Dubois has on his records though.

Solid opponent for his return.

Good fight ... but is it correct this is for the WBA interim world title?

Isnt Charr fighting lovejoy in May for the WBA recess ??

Dinu will look at his last fight and be licking his lips..

We don't know what DDD has been doing in the gym, his confident levels etc. I'm sure he's okay to be fair.

Daniel was sparring with Chisora earlier in the week !

knockout wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:30 Good fight ... but is it correct this is for the WBA interim world title?

Isnt Charr fighting lovejoy in May for the WBA recess ??

Don' even understand how the WBA can even put an interim belt on the line. Such bullsh!t.

DDD lost his last fight.

knockout wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:30 Good fight ... but is it correct this is for the WBA interim world title?

Isnt Charr fighting lovejoy in May for the WBA recess ??

After being days away from just one in January, there will be three WBA Regular titles by May. Perfect.

Also, how the hell did Dinu get to no.3 in their rankings?!

so does this mean that dub will enter the lovejoy-oquendo-charr-bryan poopy mess if he wins

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:33

knockout wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:30 Good fight ... but is it correct this is for the WBA interim world title?

Isnt Charr fighting lovejoy in May for the WBA recess ??

Don' even understand how the WBA can even put an interim belt on the line. Such bullsh!t.

DDD lost his last fight.

Yep. It’s a fine comeback fight (although Dinu has been comfortably beat in his 2 fights against decent opponents) but it’s a joke that it’s been sanctioned for an interim title.

How the hell is Dinu even ranked number 2!

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:38 so does this mean that dub will enter the lovejoy-oquendo-charr-bryan poopy mess if he wins

Wouldn't be a bad road for his comeback path, would it?

So in June there will be

Joshua WBA super champion
Bryant WBA regular champion
Charr / Lovejoy WBA Champion in recess
Dubois/Dino WBA Interim champion

ya but those guys hardly fight, they get bogged down in wba legal poops

Joyce beats Dubois, fractures his eye socket and yet Dubois is still out again before him. I wonder if Joyce will be happy with that

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:41 ya but those guys hardly fight, they get bogged down in wba legal poops

True that. Bryan and Charr would be two good comeback fights for DDD though.

maverick23 wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:42 Joyce beats Dubois, fractures his eye socket and yet Dubois is still out again before him. I wonder if Joyce will be happy with that

Joyce is working on bigger things than DDD at this point. Those things take more time.

dd ko get himself back on track. he is a good heavey weight better than most ive seen, as long the eye aint an issue now a good win get him firing again , i expect him to be fighting for titles soon

maverick23 wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:42 Joyce beats Dubois, fractures his eye socket and yet Dubois is still out again before him. I wonder if Joyce will be happy with that

Joyce presumably waiting for his WBO interim shot which should pay very well and is winnable vs Usyk

Interestingly Joyce isn’t in the WBA top 15 according to their website

Promotional point of view, it's gonna be built as a world title fight.

And the new

dinu looked like a patsy vs miller, but he gave pulev a good scare. you do get the sense he folds under pressure.

not bad as a comeback opponent i agree

Dubois is quite well liked on this forum.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:44 Promotional point of view, it's gonna be built as a world title fight.

Frank’s done a good bit of work getting Dubois around the WBA title mess. Could make him mandatory for Bryan and then in-line in the main WBA belt if it becomes vacant post AJ/Fury.

Also if Whyte is still targeting Bryan then that could lead to a big all British fight being ordered. Certainly gives Dubois lots of options.

Also shows just how corrupt the WBA are.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑16 Apr 2021, 12:59 Dubois is quite well liked on this forum.

last chance for dd in the big leagues though, he is a boxing man which i like , i had in front in joyce fight , not a fan ruthless then