Froch backs prime Haye to defeat Dubois in heavyweight fantasy

Carl Froch has picked a prime David Haye to beat Daniel Dubois, despite the size difference between the former WBA heavyweight champion and the current British heavyweight titleholder. Froch’s view is based on Haye’s faster reactions, sharper skills and greater explosiveness.

Dubois is 28 and became Britain’s latest two-time heavyweight ruler after stopping Fabio Wardley in May. The victory restored him to the top of the division after he had previously held the IBF heavyweight championship.

His first route to that title came in 2024, when he stopped Filip Hrgovic to claim the IBF interim belt. Dubois was subsequently elevated to full champion and made a strong first defence by stopping Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium.

Oleksandr Usyk then regained the IBF title and defeated Dubois for a second time. Dubois responded by returning against Wardley and ending the contest to reclaim the heavyweight crown.

Froch, a four-time super-middleweight world champion, nevertheless favours Haye in a meeting between the two fighters at their best. He believes Dubois could be beaten if Haye avoided taking a clean shot, with the former cruiserweight champion’s reflexes and speed giving him the decisive advantages.

Haye became WBA heavyweight champion by defeating Nikolai Valuev in 2009. He defended the belt twice before losing to Wladimir Klitschko, while much of his strongest work came during his cruiserweight career. Dubois is now targeting a longer reign and is expected to face Wardley again later this year, with October 17 at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena being discussed. A win would be his second successful world-title defence.