DANIEL DUBOIS and Joe Joyce have signed to settle their grudge match behind-closed-doors this year.
Dynamite Dan was originally billed to defend his British and Commonwealth titles against the Juggernaut at a packed O2 in April.
Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce have rearranged their scrap for November or DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association
But the coronavirus pandemic and ban on fans have led to a handful of rescheduled dates.
The London giants have now agreed to settle the score in a silent screamer with Dubois eager to get the show back on the road.
He said: “Nothing’s changed from February when I first said I’d knock Joe out.
“It’s a tough fight, he’s a good fighter, but I’m looking to deliver another devastating performance and move on to fight for a world title.
“I’m just glad we can finally get it on. I know we’ve both been looking forward to it and I’m sure the British public are just as excited as we are for us to finally fight.
“Joe is going to find out just how explosive Dynamite really is.”
Joyce added: “The fight is finally on and I can’t wait to get my hands on this guy.
“It’s going to be an explosive night.”
Promoter Frank Warren admitted both fighters were itching to step back in the ring with fears sporting arenas will remain empty until Spring.
Warren told SunSport: “These lads are not willing to wait anymore, to their credit, so we will now let them loose at the end of November or early December.
“Fighting without a crowd creates a big financial black hole that we have to somehow fill and everyone involved – from the fighters to BT Sport -have been flexible to get this done.
“I don’t think fans – of any sport – will be allowed into stadiums and arenas until March and these boys did not want to wait that long.
“Joe is the older man at 35 but he has pushed hard for this. Daniel is only 23, with the world ahead of him, but does not want to sit on the sidelines for another second.”
Dubois, right, will head into the fight as favouriteCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun
Tyson Fury’s shock Thursday announcement, that he is demanding a December fight in the wake of the Deontay wilder trilogy being delayed again, came as a curveball.
The 6ft 9in undefeated ace has repeatedly claimed he needs a date to focus on, for the sake of his mental health.
And Warren is happy coping with the problem of having a heavyweight world champion demanding a Christmas cracker.
He said: “It’s a headache but it’s a nice headache to have.
“When Tyson says these things about his mental health – even when mixed in with funny comments – we have to take them seriously.
“We cannot ever get to a stage where we look back on a comment and regret not taking it seriously.
“Tyson wants to fight. Issues with ticket sales, travel restrictions and available opponents are problems for us that we have to deal with to keep him happy and mentally healthy.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk