In a recent interview with Sky Sports, former heavyweight boxer and champion Lennox Lewis shared his thoughts on the possibility of a rematch between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. According to Lewis, Joshua might not yet be mentally prepared to face Dubois again, who defeated him by knockout on September 21, 2024, in the fifth round of a fight held in London, United Kingdom.
During the interview, the journalist highlighted Dubois’ current relevance, especially after his victory over Joshua. In response, Lennox Lewis praised Dubois’ performance in the ring, stating:
“I thought it was a great fight. Daniel Dubois threw an unbelievable punch in the first round and came out ready to rumble. As he said in his interview, ‘I’m not scared of you, who are you trying to scare?’ When he said that at the press conference, I thought we had to watch out for Daniel. He was serious.”
Lennox Lewis emphasized that Daniel Dubois’ confidence and determination were key factors in his victory.
According to the former champion, although Dubois made several statements before the fight, many did not believe he could defeat Joshua. However, Lewis acknowledged that Dubois’ words in the week leading up to the fight reflected genuine conviction and a serious focus.
“When someone’s really quiet and doesn’t say much, you’ve got to listen to what they do say. He said these things and really meant them, so I knew we were in for a great fight,” Lewis commented.
Speaking about the impact of this victory on Dubois’ career, Lennox Lewis expressed enthusiasm. “He said he’s the ‘King Slayer,’ and he went out and slayed the king. He did a great job,” he said, referring to how Dubois challenged and defeated the former heavyweight champion. For Lewis, Dubois has managed to position himself as a prominent figure in the division, especially among British heavyweight boxers.
When asked if he thinks there will be a rematch between Joshua and Dubois, Lewis expressed his doubts. Although he considers it likely that Joshua will seek another chance, he also emphasized that overcoming a knockout defeat is a significant psychological challenge.
“For me, it was about getting back up after being knocked down. For Anthony Joshua, he didn’t get back up; he was counted out a couple of times, and that’s rough going back in against a guy who’s done that to you,” Lewis explained, recalling his own experiences with rematches.
Finally, Lennox Lewis shared his perspective on the process of regaining confidence after a defeat of this magnitude. According to him, if a boxer has been knocked out, the path back requires strong mental preparation. “It depends on how you lost. If it was by knockout, it’s hard to go back in, but you’ve got to tell yourself you’re fully prepared this time,” he concluded.
However, Lennox Lewis appeared skeptical about whether Joshua will be in optimal condition to face Dubois again. “I don’t know if Anthony will be ready for another fight,” Lewis concluded.
It is worth mentioning that Dubois has expressed his willingness to face Joshua in a rematch within the next three months. Nevertheless, numerous factors seem to indicate that it may still be too soon, and Joshua might not be ready for a rematch. Conversely, Dubois’ next challenger would likely be either Chinese boxer Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang or Fabio Wardley.
Be the first to comment