JOE THE MIGHTY
Reporters’ star ratings for main events and undercards are based on in-ring entertainment, competitiveness and whether overall expectation was met
WESTMINSTER
NOVEMBER 28
MAIN EVENT
UNDERCARD
AS the pain from the final blow burrowed into Daniel Dubois’ left eyeball, the heavyweight dropped to one knee and waited for referee Ian John Lewis to count to 10. In that moment of self-preservation, 36 seconds into the 53rd round of his professional career, 23-year-old Dubois decided he didn’t want to fight Joe Joyce anymore.
The cruel world of boxing turned on Dubois. Gone was the promising young heavyweight powerhouse, the king in waiting, the prospect who could do no wrong. In his place, grateful for safety on the canvas, was a ‘quitter’.
Quitter: A person who gives up easily or does not have the courage or determination to finish a task.
After drug cheat, it’s the filthiest, dirtiest label that can be put on a boxer and one, I’d argue, that’s grossly unfair on this occasion. Dubois was suddenly a quitter, not because he gave up easily (he didn’t) or because he doesn’t have courage (he does) but because other boxers, both at ringside inside Westminster’s Church House and on social media, classified Dubois as such.
