Reunion of Daniel Dubois and Trainer Don Charles
Daniel Dubois and his trainer Don Charles have shared insights regarding their surprising decision to work together once more, following their unexpected split last year. Just a month after Dubois’s second knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley in July, the 28-year-old heavyweight boxer made headlines by ending his partnership with Charles, who had guided him through the most successful period of his career.
Training Changes and Upcoming Title Shot
In the interim, Dubois briefly trained with Tony Sims at the Matchroom gym. However, anticipating his upcoming title shot against Fabio Wardley for the WBO heavyweight championship, he has rejoined Charles. Speaking ahead of their fight scheduled for May 9 in Manchester, Dubois expressed his satisfaction with the reunion, stating:
“I have no issues with Tony, but teaming back up with Don is the best direction for my career. I’m really pleased to work with him again for this bout.”
Reflections on Their Partnership
On the other hand, Charles remarked on the rekindled partnership, indicating that there was no contention leading to their separation:
“If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. We went through a break, and since he didn’t have any fights during that time, he simply returned to where he began. I’m overjoyed and excited for what’s ahead.”
When questioned about whether this return acts as a confirmation of his coaching abilities, Charles replied:
“It could be attributed to many factors. Sometimes, the chemistry just clicks. We both feel aligned again, and it’s fantastic to guide him back towards achieving great things.”
Past Achievements and Future Challenges
Dubois’s relationship with Charles began in 2023 after he parted ways with Shane McGuigan. Their initial collaboration culminated in a title challenge against Usyk, where Dubois was stopped in the ninth round after experiencing a controversial setback due to a low blow he delivered.
From late 2023 through September 2024, Dubois and Charles achieved an impressive 3-0 record, featuring knockout victories over fighters such as Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua. Notably, Dubois knocked Joshua down multiple times, culminating in a fifth-round knockout that earned him the IBF heavyweight title, previously vacated by Usyk.
This victory set the stage for a rematch with Usyk, who by then held other major heavyweight titles. In a subsequent bout, Usyk outperformed his previous fight against Dubois, finishing the match in the fifth round and reclaiming his status as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Looking Ahead
Following his split from Charles, the trainer had expressed disappointment, hinting at the influence of external parties over Dubois. In an interview, Charles described feeling:
“let down” and mentioned, “There are negative influences at work, trying to disrupt anything successful. I found it disheartening.”
As the newly-minted WBO champion, Wardley will defend his title against Dubois at the Co-op Live arena, following his interim title win over Joseph Parker. This match promises to be a significant test for Dubois as he seeks to reclaim championship glory.
