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Don Charles exclusive – Trainer explains how Dubois has changed from ‘a boy to a man’ before Usyk undisputed fight
For Daniel Dubois, his first fight with then unified champion Oleksandr Usyk two years ago was the start of a new chapter in his boxing career.
As Dubois stood across the ring from Usyk in Wroclaw, there was a new face in his corner, Don Charles, who had been brought in train 'Dynamite' for his first world title fight.
In the words of Charles, he described the situation as “a baptism of fire” with only having 14 weeks to train Dubois for a showdown with one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters.
But how did Charles link up with one of British boxing’s heavyweight stars?
Speaking exclusively to DAZN News ahead Dubois' undisputed title fight with Usyk, which will be exclusively live on DAZN PPV, Charles revealed that it was a sudden partnership.
“There was no lead up to me working with Daniel Dubois, it was a sudden thing,” Charles said.
“I pride myself as a heavyweight specialist. So, I'm always aware of who's coming through within the heavyweight division.
“I knew about Daniel when he was 17 years old. He came over, I was training Derek Chisora at the time, he came over to spar with Derek. Even back then you could tell that this kid was going to grow into something special.”
Dubois would go on to lose his first fight with Usyk by knockout in round nine, but since then, the Dubois-Charles partnership has thrived.
Charles explained that during his time with Dubois, no major changes had been made, instead it was instilling more confidence in the IBF heavyweight champion when he faced the established names in his weight division.
The environment Charles has created is one which Dubois has excelled in with successive knockout wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, and in Charles’ opinion, the ascent of Dubois has been a gradual process.
“It's been a gradual thing," he explained.
“The first fight after the loss to Usyk was against Baby Miller and it was a tough fight. Daniel came through with flying colours. He stopped him. So as a person, as a human being, he would naturally develop confidence from that. That was a very good win.
“Next stop was Hrgovic, an avoided fighter, Daniel beat him, and he went through some treacherous waters to get that victory. Another layer of confidence.
“Then the unthinkable happened where he is now facing Anthony Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion. Some of the boxing fraternity said that we had no chance. Some labelled it a grotesque mismatch, but he beat him. Again, another layer of confidence.”
It’s not just Dubois’ mentality and confidence which has changed for the better under Charles, the 27-year-old has benefitted physically.
A lot has been made of Dubois transforming from a boy into a man between his first encounter with Usyk and Saturday’s rematch, but it could not be a more apt description.
In the first fight with Usyk, Dubois looked lost, scared to impose himself on the Ukrainian with the only notable moment from ‘Dynamite’ being the controversial low blow in round five.
Now Dubois is someone who often creates viral moments at fight week events with his thumping knockout punches being felt across the boxing world.
Charles made no secret about the natural development of Dubois as an athlete playing a massive part in this recent period of dominance, along with being able to trust what is being implemented during his training camp.
“He's now two years older than when he first fought Usyk. He was 25 years old; he's 27 now and he's a world champion in his own right,” Charles continued.
“Daniel now trusts what he's been showing in the gym. He now trusts, the trust is there. We trust him, he trusts us, the team. It's been a gradual build on all aspects, even away from boxing, he's matured as a person, he's grown in stature, he's grown in confidence, he's grown as a human being.
“As a man, a young man, 27 years old, you're literally probably at your physical best as a man. He's got his man strength now, so people, he's got power, natural power, Daniel, but now he's got his man strength.”
Dubois has continued to showcase this confident aura during fight week for Saturday night’s clash with Usyk after screaming in the face of the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion during a face off at Wembley Stadium.
But while Dubois can partake in all sorts of mind games and antics in the build-up, this transformation from boy to man will all be for nothing if he fails to beat Usyk and become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Usyk vs Dubois 2 only on DAZN
Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday - July 19 - for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW.
