Former heavyweight LaRon Mitchell, an Olympic alternate in the 2012 heavyweight division, experienced the fight game firsthand. Although he never faced the likes of Anthony Joshua or Daniel Dubois, he is well-equipped to assess their skills. Mitchell, who retired in 2018 with a professional record of 16-2 (14 KOs), sparred with top fighters, including Deontay Wilder.
Joshua will face Dubois for the latter’s IBF heavyweight title on Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs), entering as the challenger, remains one of the biggest names in heavyweight boxing. The 34-year-old, a two-time unified champion and a 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the super heavyweight division, has seen his losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk (twice) overshadow his recent achievements. He is currently on a four-fight win streak, including a knockout victory over MMA-fighter-turned-boxer Francis Ngannou in March.
Mitchell believes Joshua is peaking at the right time.
“He’s in his prime right now,” Mitchell said. “It’s clear from how he looked in his past couple of fights, and his confidence is up. But Usyk is a monster.”
Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs), after being stopped in August 2023, bounced back with two technical knockout wins, defeating Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller and Filip Hrgovic. His win over Hrgovic earned him the interim IBF title, and he has since been elevated to full titleholder status.
Mitchell has noticed significant improvements in Dubois.
“Growth and confidence,” Mitchell said. “For him to beat Jarrell Miller the way he did, especially after how Miller looked against Andy Ruiz, really raised my thoughts on Dubois. He’s confident and strong. If the ref let that fight go, he would have knocked Miller out cold.”
As for the Joshua-Dubois matchup, Mitchell believes Joshua’s strategy will be key.
“Joshua can win a very strategic fight,” Mitchell said. “He showed that with Ruiz, in their second fight, and Jermaine Franklin. Joshua had to be smart in those bouts, and while he tried to box Usyk, you can’t outbox Usyk. I see him doing that with Dubois – it’s just a matter of finding that right hand, which is his best weapon right now.”
Looking ahead, Mitchell sees another potential matchup on the horizon.
“Joshua and Tyson Fury would be a really good fight right now,” Mitchell said.
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.
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