OFF THE RECORD WITH DANIEL 'DYNAMITE' DUBOIS

Published: 15/07/2025, Words by: Alex Courbat | Photography by: Adam Horton

At just 27, Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois has become one of the most powerful punchers in boxing. With the biggest fight of his career just around the corner – a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley on 19 July – Brooks Sports invited us to his camp in East London. There, we caught up with Daniel and his team on the very track he’s been training on for the past few weeks to talk about the importance of his dad, his journey in and out of the ring, and how he’s preparing for this monumental moment.

It was Muhammad Ali who once said that champions are made far away from the ring – and for Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois, those words couldn’t be truer. His journey to the pinnacle of heavyweight boxing began long before the bright lights of Wembley, in Greenwich, on the banks of the River Thames. Since those early days, almost everything about his world has changed, except for two constants: his relentless dedication to the sport and the steadfast presence of one man who has been his unwavering anchor through every victory and every setback – his father. And even if the man himself wasn’t physically there as we met on a running track in East London, you could feel his presence, quietly fuelling Daniel’s fire.

When asked what single thing made him the fighter – and the man – he is today, Daniel doesn't hesitate. "My dad," he says simply. "The consistency in the way we've been living, the lifestyle – I wouldn't be where I am today without him." His words are measured, but the sentiment runs deep. In a sport where many fighters lose their way, Daniel has always had his compass.

But what makes Daniel particularly interesting not just among heavyweights, but across all of boxing – is how he breaks the typical boxer stereotype. Beyond the power that has made him one of the world's most feared punchers, there's a softer, surprising side. Daniel is humble and creative – he loves to draw and even plays the harp. And when you consider his dad’s background in selling art, it all starts to make sense. His father hasn’t just taught him how to knock out opponents in the ring; he’s woven a deeper kind of creativity and passion into every part of Daniel’s life. 

“Art, music – all these little bits and pieces. I’ve been living that lifestyle, and it works for me.” The late Norman Mailer – a famous American writer, journalist, and filmmaker – described a good boxer as an artist. In Daniel’s case, that’s spot on. He’s an artist both in and out of the ring. It’s that exact balance between the brutal and the beautiful that makes his story so unique.

Because Daniel’s story is truly unique – on so many levels. Even before he was born, his father had what can only be called a “vision” of his son’s future: becoming a boxing world champion. And this wasn’t just typical parental pride or dream – it was an unbreakable belief that shaped everything about Daniel’s life. That vision didn’t come from nowhere, though – fighting runs deep in the Dubois’ DNA.

That fighting spirit, in fact, stretches back generations. If you trace the Dubois family tree far enough, you’ll come across Sylvia Dubois – an African American slave in the 18th century who earned her freedom through bare-knuckle fighting. “When I think about how my dad is, how we train, it all starts to make sense,” Daniel reflects with a grin. “It’s not just me – my brothers and sisters, we’re all fighters. That legacy is truly in our blood.” 

But even when fighting runs through your blood, it doesn’t guarantee you a place at the top. Far from it. Every fighter faces moments that define who they truly are – and for Daniel, that moment came with the loss to Joe Joyce in 2020. On that day, in Church House, Westminster, Daniel took a knee – and the boxing world criticised him for it. For many, that would have been the end of the story. But it didn’t break him. Quite the opposite. It became the foundation for everything that followed.

“Setbacks always make way for a great comeback,” he says. “For me, that’s our whole mindset. It’s never about staying down, but about when we’re going to get back up. I’m just hoping I can stay true to that. Keep pushing further and further.”

And the comeback has been remarkable. His recent victories over the likes of Hrgović, Miller, and, most notably Anthony Joshua, haven't just rebuilt his reputation – they've put him in the conversation. The Anthony Joshua victory was particularly stunning: in front of a record-breaking 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, Daniel dropped Joshua multiple times before delivering a devastating knockout in the fifth round, a result that shocked the boxing world given Joshua's status before the fight.

Since that loss to Joyce, each fight has added layers to his confidence and demonstrated his evolution as a boxer. Even his controversial defeat to Usyk in Poland in 2023 proved to be a step in the right direction. “I think these are some of the best heavyweights out there, so just being in the ring with them shows where I'm at,” he explains before adding: “there’s more to come. That wasn't even my best. I can reach new levels – we're just getting started.”

On the 19th of July, Daniel will be facing Oleksandr Usyk for the second time. This time, the stakes are much, much higher. And Daniel? He's a different fighter too - more mature and more confident.  "I can't wait to show it," Daniel says. "It's just about fighting now, staying focused, staying serious and switched on for this fight. No need to go on about it. I'm in a good place right now. Training-wise and mentally-wise, I need to stay focused, deliver and perform."

The magnitude of what lies ahead isn’t lost on him. A victory would crown Daniel the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world by unifying the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF belts. It’s a feat only one man has achieved in the four-belt era – the very man who will be standing across the ring from him in just a few days: Oleksandr Usyk. “It would be a great achievement, up there with some of the biggest moments in boxing history. No one can take that away from you once you’ve done it, and that’s what I’m made for,” he says. 

This is a historic fight, so it goes without saying that the preparation has been different too – shaped by experience and maturity. “We’ve just been grinding hard like veterans,” Danel says. His strength and conditioning coach, Samuel Otti, then hints at the unique nature of their approach. “We’ve got an unconventional approach when it comes to our fitness. Very different,” he adds with a knowing smile – though he’s careful not to reveal too much.

When you're on the brink of greatness, every detail counts. To make sure nothing was left to chance, Daniel teamed up with Brooks Sports. The running brand has since become a key part of his preparation, giving him the support he needs to push his conditioning to the next level.

“I’m running up mountains and working hard. They’ve helped me train better. They support us really well and help us be ready,” Daniel says. For a fighter whose explosive power must be sustained over potentially twelve rounds, the cardiovascular base running provides is absolutely crucial. And with Brooks in his corner, who knows? That might just be the detail that makes everything click. 

At 27 years old, with a professional record of 22 wins (21 by knockout) and just 2 losses, Daniel has already achieved what many heavyweights never will. And with Wembley awaiting, the Brooks athlete is just one knockout away from becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Armed with the lessons of his past and the unwavering support of the man who made him who he is today, who knows how far Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois can go? One thing’s for sure: July 19th will be a date forever etched in boxing history.