Daniel Dubois makes his return against Bogdan Dinu in Telford
(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)Daniel Dubois will look to bounce back from his first defeat when he battles Bogdan Dinu in a comeback fight in Telford this evening.
It is just over six months since one of world heavyweight boxing’s most exciting rising stars was stunned by 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce in a memorable all-British affair at Westminster’s Church House.
Dubois was repeatedly punished by Joyce’s remarkable sharp jab on that night in November, taking a knee in round 10 and being counted out by the referee after suffering severe damage to a swollen-shut left eye that severely impaired his vision.
While some accused ‘Dynamite’ of quitting after a first professional defeat cost him his British, Commonwealth, WBC Silver and WBO International titles and saw Joyce become the European heavyweight champion, it was later confirmed that he had suffered a broken eye socket and nerve damage.
Now recovered from surgery and confident in improvements made under new trainer Shane McGuigan, the 15-1 Dubois will hope to ease past experienced Romanian Dinu in Telford, pick up the WBA interim belt and go some way to setting up a rematch with Joyce in the process.
Dinu, 34, is 11 years older than Dubois and has suffered two defeats in 22 professional fights, losing to Jarrell Miller and Kubrat Pulev before battling back against Osborn Machimana and Frank Bluemle in Bulgaria.
Dubois vs Dinu fight card/undercard in full
Saturday night’s card also includes Tyson Fury’s younger brother and Love Island star Tommy Fury, who faces undefeated Jordan Grant in a four-round light-heavyweight clash.
Daniel Dubois vs Bogdan Dinu
Tommy Fury vs Jordan Grant
Nathan Heaney vs Iliyan Markov
Daniel Buciuc vs Naeem Ali
George Bance vs Des Newton
Adan Mohamed vs Luke Fash
Caoimhin Agyarko vs TBA
Liam Davies vs Stefan Slavchev
Dubois vs Dinu date, start time, venue and ring walks
Dubois vs Dinu takes place today (Saturday, June 5, 2021) at Telford International Centre in Telford, Shropshire.
One thousand fans are set to attend the event, which begins at 7pm BST.
The main event ring walks are due to take place around 10pm, though that will depend on the length of the undercard fights.
How to watch Dubois vs Dinu
TV channel: Dubois vs Dinu is being shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Live stream: BT Sport subscribers can also watch the event live via the BT Sport website or app.
Dubois vs Dinu fight prediction
The criticism aimed at Dubois after the Joyce fight felt incredibly harsh, especially after the extent of his eye injury was revealed.
He will no doubt have those stinging words fresh in his memory this weekend as he aims to get back on track with the sort of emphatic performance that previously appeared to have him well on track for the top.
Dubois cannot afford another slip-up and will be eager to provide a reminder of his formidable knockout power against an opponent in Dinu who is experienced but was handled by the likes of Pulev and Miller.
Heavy favourite ‘DDD’ to win via KO in the fourth round and become the mandatory challenger to WBA ‘regular’ champion Trevor Bryan.
Dubois vs Dinu weigh-in results
Dubois: 240lbs 3oz
Dinu: 250lbs 4oz
Dubois vs Dinu betting odds
Dubois to win: 1/20
Dinu to win: 16/1
Draw: 49/1
