Dubois vs Cojanu Preview

Dubois vs Cojanu Preview

By Matthew Dean 

Daniel Dubois (9-0) discovered recently that not everyone in the heavyweight ranks will succumb to the theory that “the bigger they are the harder they will fall” Kevin Johnson became victim number 9 but took the young prospect the distance for the first time in his career.

On December 15th in the main event at the Brentwood Centre and shown live on ESPN+ in the US and BT Sport in the UK he will find out if Razvan Cojanu (16-4) is going to be another who will last until the final bell.

Standing at 6’7, Cojanu has the size and reach to give Dubois problems, yet it is believed that he will show his class and come through this challenge. Even though Cojanu also has greater experience, 2 losses in his last two fights to Joseph Parker (in a WBO title challenge) and against Luis Ortiz, Dubois is already making his name known. This is the second world title challenger he has faced in his first ten fights, and he has already shared sparring time with Anthony Joshua, reportedly having dropped him to the canvas in the process. Having 8 stoppages from 9 fights clearly demonstrates the power he possesses and having gone the distance in his first 10 rounder he knows his stamina is almost good enough for 12 rounds if championship action.

Two years ago Frank Warren was already describing him as

“one of the most talented heavyweights I’ve ever seen at this age, but it’s the way he puts it together already which is so impressive,”

Cojanu isn’t the biggest of punchers with 9 stoppages from 16 and coming off 2 back to back losses will have an impact on the confidence he will feel. .

Dubois was full of respect for his opponent and said

“Razvan is a good fighter who has been fighting at world level for the last couple of years. It’s another step up in level of opponent and I’m looking forward to getting in the ring on December 15th and topping the bill in Brentwood.”

British super featherweight champion Sam Bowen (14-0) is making the first defence of his title against the dangerous Ronnie Clark (21-4-2)

Bowen stopped Horacio Alfredo Cabral to win the WBO Intercontinental title and he now faces a challenge against a more experienced foe. The unpredictable Clark defeated Zelfa Barrett, via majority decision in a result which surprised many and earned him the IBF European title. Whether this was just his lucky night or the starting of something greater remains to be seen.

Sunny Edwards (9-0) is back in action against tough Mexican Junior Granados (16-5-1) in a 10 rounder as he continues his quest in the super flyweight ranks. Edwards is hunting for his 10th win following on from his best night to date, outpointing Ryan Farrag impressively in October.

Edwards said that

“When it was offered to me I did what I have done with every one of my opponents, or potential opponents, and that is say yes. I haven’t said no to anyone and I think that is getting obvious now because there are a lot of easier fights I could have taken than Junior Granados.

Edwards feels this is a step in the right direction for him. He is looking forward to big fights in the new year. Names such as Jay Harris for the British title, eventually Paddy Barnes and Andrew Selby will also be in the mix but he knows he is not quite there yet.

Bradley Skeete (28-2) is also looking to get back up the rankings. The British welterweight champion exercised the ghost of his April loss in stunning fashion to TKO Fernando Valencia in the 3rd round in October.

In his fighter diary He said that

“Losing to Kerman Lejarraga was a shock to my system but it is has not altered my thinking over what my ambitions are. It was over before it began for me in Bilbao and Lejarraga is a great fighter as he has shown since. I believe he will go on and fight for a world title. I am not crying out for a rematch but it is a fight I would like to have again because everyone who knows me knows that wasn’t the real me in there and I just didn’t get to show the best of myself.

Standing in his way is Argentinian southpaw Diego Ramirez (16-2). Coming off a loss most recently to Demian Daniel Fernandez for the interim WBO Latino welterweight title, the Argentinian hasn’t lost in 3 years. Skeete is clearly thinking about his future even though he is only 31. He has publicly stated that he wants to win the European title before his career comes to a close but he intends to make the most of this next opportunity to shine.
Other fights on the undercard :

Ryan Garner vs Jose Aguilar
Junior lightweight
6 rounds

Willie Hutchinson vs Josh Miller
Light heavyweight
6 rounds

Hamza Sheeraz vs Sam Omid
Junior middleweight
6 rounds

Harvey Horn vs Cristian Narvaez
Flyweight
6 rounds

Jake Pettitt vs Stefan Slavchev
Featherweight
4 rounds

James Branch Jr vs Taha Mirhosseini
Cruiserweight
4 rounds

Caoimhim Agyarkho vs Emmanuel Moussinger
Middleweight
6 rounds

Mark Chamberlain vs Aleksandrs Birkenbergs
Lightweight
4 rounds