DANIEL DUBOIS HAS placed the winning of a first world title belt right at the top of his 2022 wish list and has WBA champion Trevor Bryan firmly in his sights.
The London heavyweight knockout artist known as 'Dynamite' enjoyed a productive 2021 with two typical KO victories – over Bogdan Dinu and Joe Cusumanu – to take his professional ring record to 17-1, with 16 stoppages and more importantly place himself in the top spot of the WBA rankings.
His explosive success has seen him installed as No.1 challenger for the WBA world heavyweight championship currently held by the American Bryan.
Promoter Frank Warren has indicated a March return for the 24-year-old and says he would favour a straight shot at the champion, if the fight can be made.
"It is a new year with new things on the horizon, so I am really excited," Dubois told Dev Sahni in the Unibet Lowdown.
"It was a good year and a kickstart to the comeback and everything went well. I am just looking forward to the future now, a new year, a new start and a new beginning.
"That [the Bryan match] is a fight that is going to happen. It is a fight I want and a title I want. Things are ticking over at the moment and it will hopefully go that way.
"I definitely fancy it. Since last year when it was mentioned to me I wanted it straight away. It has got to happen this year and I am more than ready, whether it is in England or the US, I want to get my hands on that title and bring it home.
"It is a step in the right direction for me," reasoned Dubois, who went on to reveal that a brief assessment of the unbeaten Bryan did little to dampen his enthusiasm over his prospects in the fight.
"I've checked him out, of course, and he is not that impressive to watch. I just see somebody standing in my way if we get it on. Fingers crossed, we will.
"It will be fun, the whole show will be great and I want to take everyone on this trip with me, this ride to go further than we have been before and keep the momentum moving.
"I only see myself beating him and it is what I am trained to do. I can definitely knock him out and everyone knows I only fight one way."
Claiming the WBA belt would put Dubois right in the thick of the elite heavyweight mix and place his name into the pecking order to challenge the super champion, who is currently Oleksandr Usyk and potentially Tyson Fury, the WBC king.
"Of course, whoever has the belts I want to face them. I am really excited and what is on the horizon is going to be good. I am determined to go for it now and look good in every performance I have, whether it is against Bryan or someone else.
"I am going to be explosive, devastating and really look the business."