Dubois early or Joyce late – that’s the prediction from fellow UK heavyweight, Kash Ali, ahead of this weekend’s big clash between ‘Dynamite’ Dubois and ‘Juggernaut’ Joyce. Ali knows a bit about both guys and is looking forward to, what he believes will be, an exciting clash.
Ali, from Rotherham, is out next himself on December 11 at the Sheffield Arena, when he will appear on the UK’s first ever drive-in boxing show; topped by local man Tommy Frank versus Londoner Harvey Horn for the IBF European Flyweight belt.
A pro since 2011, Kash has lost just once in 18 outings – and that bout ended controversially! In March 2019, in a fight he was seemingly winning, the Yorkshireman inexplicably bit opponent David Price and was subsequently banned from the sport.
After serving his ban, and then teaming up with manager Dennis Hobson and new trainer Richard Towers – Ali says he wants to fight for the British Title next year, as well as secure a rematch with Liverpudlian Price to set the record straight.
“I’m looking forward to the Dubois versus Joyce fight. Joyce has boxed the better opponents, has more experience, but I think it’ll either be Dubois to win within four rounds, or Joyce to win on points or stop him late. Dubois is young, fast and explosive and he will catch Joyce. If Joyce can weather the storm then it will be interesting. They are two big men with different kinds of power; Joyce has clubbing power, but Dubois can knock people out with one shot. So, for me, it’s going to be Dubois within four or Joyce late.
“This show at Sheffield Arena on December 11 is massive and I’m so happy to be part of it. In years to come I’ll look back and be proud to have been part of a history-making show. With what’s being going on this year, I’m just so lucky to be fighting and I really appreciate Dennis and Steve [Crump] for getting me out. Apart from Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, no other promoters are really putting shows on, so it’s massive credit to Dennis and Steve for putting their thinking caps on, going ahead with this show, and looking after their fighters.
“I want to get a win and then, next year, fight for a British Title. With Dubois and Joyce fighting this weekend, I think the British Title will become vacant and hopefully Dennis can get me a shot. I’m training really hard with Richard, and want to start putting it all on the line in some big fights. If you look at the rankings, after the top guys like Fury, Joshua, Dubois and Joyce – there’s people like David Price, Fabio Wardley, Nick Webb, Nathan Gorman and me. If Fabio and Gorman fight for the British, then hopefully I can get the winner.
“I’d also love the Price rematch. If you rewatch that fight, people that know boxing know that I was starting to give him nightmares. A rematch would be a good fight. Lots of people will probably want me to lose, but I’d love to do it again and I believe that I would knock him out. Hopefully he wants to do it, because it didn’t end satisfactorily for him, and it could be a really big fight.”
Dennis Hobson Promotions present an evening of boxing at Sheffield Arena on December 11, headlined by Tommy Frank and Harvey Horn contesting the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) European Flyweight Title.
Chief support sees Kane Salvin and Sufyaan Ahmed fight for the Central Area Super Featherweight belt. Also appearing will be Sheffield’s Perry Howe and Keanen Wainwright, Lancashire’s Josh Holmes and Zak Miller, Belfast’s Cathy McAleer, and Rotherham’s Kash Ali.
The action will be broadcast live by Eurosport.
For ticket information, call 0114 243 4443.
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Photo credit: @Sporting Captures
