Heavyweight Fight Night: Daniel Dubois v Joe Joyce and Mike Tyson v Roy Jones Jr
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We preview the biggest fights taking place this weekend
Boxing fans young and old are in for a treat this weekend as we look forward to two very different fights featuring one of the stars of the future and one of the greats of the past.
First up is an all-British affair as Daniel Dubois locks horns with Joe Joyce in London for the British, Commonwealth, WBC and vacant European heavyweight titles.
And in the early hours in California, Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr are both coming out of retirement to take fans on a trip down memory lane in an exhibition fight.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the two contests.
With the British, Commonwealth and WBC heavyweight titles already to his name, Dubois is looking to add to his collection, with the European heavyweight title up for grabs.
The unbeaten heavyweight has won all but one of his 15 fights by knockout and he’s looking to etch his name further into the boxing history books at Church House on Saturday.
But to do so, he’ll have to get past 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joyce, whose unbeaten record is also on the line.
12 years his opponent’s senior but four professional fights lighter, Joyce has made it clear he has a world title fight firmly in his sights.
And the European title isn’t all that’s on offer in this contest, with a WBO ranking and a fight with Anthony Joshua also potentially on the cards.
Dubois is the clear favourite ahead of the fight, priced at 1/4 with Coral, and for good reason. The 23-year-old takes no prisoners with his explosive approach and none of his last three fights have reached the third round.
However, Joyce, who can be backed at 3/1, is no pushover and he also boasts a record of winning all but one of his fights by knockout.
Mike Tyson v Roy Jones Jr
They say form is temporary and class is permanent but it’s difficult to judge how Tyson will fare this weekend – he hasn’t stepped in a ring competitively in more than 14 years.
The 54-year-old, who is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, will dust off his gloves and go toe-to-toe with Jones Jr in an eight-round exhibition bout.
Tyson had been in talks to face Evander Holyfield but after negotiations broke down, Jones Jr stepped in as his replacement.
In terms of recent form, Jones Jr only retired from professional boxing in 2018 so should still be in decent shape. Iron Mike has looked sharp in videos posted on social media but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to hold his own in the ring.
He won 44 of his 50 professional fights by knockout but he won’t be able to exhibit his true punching power against Jones Jr. The California State Athletic Commission have ruled that the fighters can’t KO each other and no official winner will be announced.
The contest has raised a few eyebrows among hardcore boxing fans but it could be the start of something new, with Tyson insisting he wants his comeback fight to be the first of many.
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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
