Daniel Dubois makes his return to the ring on Saturday night as he begins the journey to redemption following a highly disappointing defeat to Joe Joyce last year.
The heavyweight will take on the significantly lesser known Bogdan Dinu, who fights on British soil for the first time.
Dubois had been steadily building his resume and experience after turning professional in 2017, knocking out 14 consecutive opponents with relative ease.
But a stern test against the vastly more experienced Joyce proved one step too far in the early stages of the 23-year-old’s career. Dubois landed a number of power punches, but was unable to trouble the ‘Juggernaut’, who utilised his pin-point jab to perfection.
Eventually in the tenth round, Dubois dropped to his knee and took a ten count, with many believing the young heavyweight quit. However, it subsequently emerged that he had both broken his orbital bone and suffered nerve damage around his left eye.
Dubois, now trained by Shane McGuigan, insists he has the heart to fight back, however, while promoter Frank Warren believes he will be right back in the mix with victory.
With the match-up now swiftly approaching, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know.
Daniel Dubois makes his return to the ring on Saturday night against Romanian Bogdan Dinu
Dubois has not fought since a damaging stoppage defeat to Joe Joyce in November 2020
When is Dubois vs Bogdan Dinu?
The heavyweight clash between Dubois and Dinu is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 5 at the Telford International Centre in front of 1,000 fans.
The pair are expected to walk to the ring at around 10pm BST, though that of course will depend on results beforehand.
However, there is also an abundance of action on the undercard, with Tommy Fury also taking to the ring.
How to watch the fight
The fight will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1, with coverage getting underway at 7pm.
Existing customers able to watch the fight either on television or by streaming it on the BT app or website, while non-subscribers can also watch it by purchasing a monthly pass for £25 with no contract involved.
Additionally, EE customers can watch the event FOR FREE by including BT Sport to their existing deal at no additional cost.
To do so, you’ll have to log in to EE and select the BT Sport app, which can also be shown on the big screen by texting SPORT to 150, after which a three-month trial will start.
Dubois vs Dinu: The records
Both Dubois and Dinu carry power, sharing 30 knockouts from 35 wins between them
Daniel Dubois
Age: 23
Nationality: British
Height: 6ft 5in
Record: 15W, 1L, 0D
Knockouts: 14
Rounds: 53
Debut: 2017
Bogdan Dinu
Age: 34
Nationality: Romanian
Height: 6ft 5in
Record: 20W, 2L, 0D
Knockouts: 16
Rounds: 73
Debut: 2008
Fight card in full
- Daniel Dubois v Bogdan Dinu – for WBA interim heavyweight title
- Archie Sharp v Marcio Soza – for vacant WBO global super-feather title
- Tommy Fury v Jordan Grant
- Nathan Heaney v Iliyan Markov
- Daniel Buciuc v Naeem Ali
- George Bance v Des Newton
- Adan Mohamed v Luke Fash
- Caoimhin Agyarko v TBA
- Liam Davies v TBA
Dubois in search for redemption
Dubois has received an abundance of criticism with many claiming he quit against Joyce
Dubois has admitted it’s been a frustrating wait to return to the ring, but insists on Saturday night he will provide a reminder of his quality.
‘I am excited to be back in the ring on June 5 after the frustration of being kept out of the gym and doing what I love to do for a number of months after my last fight,’ Dubois said.
‘This is my chance to remind people of what I am really about, which is winning fights in a devastating fashion. I don’t need to make any excuses for the Joe fight because everybody could see the issue with my vision, but Joe won fair and square and we move on.
‘Time is on my side but I don’t intend to slow down my progress and I am more than happy to be returning to the ring in a big title fight that puts me right back in the picture.
‘I respect Dinu and accept that he could provide a tough test, but I can only see one outcome and that is me leaving the ring with another major championship belt for my collection.’
Dinu, on the other hand, believes it will be he who emerges victorious.
He said: ‘This is the most important fight for me and I will be prepared for a war in the ring. It’s my perfect moment to win and to get to the big fights.
‘I’m fighting in London to become the first Romanian heavyweight champion of the world.’
Dubois vs Dinu: The odds
Despite his damaging defeat to Joyce last time out, it remains no surprise that Dubois is the overwhelming favourite among the bookies to seal the win.
Dubois is favoured at 1/18 to get the victory – 4/1 on points and 2/9 by stoppage.
Dinu’s record shows he has power, though against poorer opposition. But he’s not expected to trouble Dubois, with odds of 8/1 to get the win,- 22/1 on points and 10/1 by stoppage.
*Odds as per Betfair and correct at the time of publication.