The news of Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KO’s) parting with Don Charles, who successfully led him to becoming a world champion ― albeit an elevated one, has come with a fair bit of scrutiny following Dubois’ loss to undisputed heavyweight (200+ lbs) champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KO’s) during their rematch on July 19.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Dubois attempted to clarify the reasons for his split with Charles but still notably failed to enunciate as to why:
“Yeah 100%,” Dubois told talkSPORT after being asked on whether it was his own decision to release Charles.
“Just thinking, looking back, Don’s been great for me. We won our [first] world title together, but I’m just thinking about moving forward and how I can improve myself. And yeah, that was my decision.“
With father Stan Dubois’ role unveiled in the pre-match party thrown on the same day Daniel Dubois was set to face Usyk, Stan Dubois has entered the limelight of his son’s career as the potential puppetmaster pulling Dubois’ strings.
Don Charles’ sacking could therefore have been at the behest of Dubois’ father, illustrated by the heavyweight contender’s seemed inability to fully elaborate on his decision to find a new trainer.
“I hope so,” Dubois replied when asked on whether a new trainer would culminate in better performances. “I’m willing to give everything I’ve got. Everything I’ve got left now at this stage of my career, and become two-time heavyweight champion in the world. That’s my goal. I’m willing to do anything to get to that.”
More evidence of the decision to Don Charles being a spur-of-the-moment decision made by his father became evident as Dubois revealed not to have officially welcomed British trainer Tony Sims to his team despite reports of the two having linked up:
“I can’t say for now, to be honest,” said Dubois after being asked whether Tony Sims was his new trainer. “I need to sit down and talk with my team first properly about everything; how the structure is going to be. But there will be an announcement soon on that, for sure.“
Rumors regarding a fallout between Dubois and his father with Don Charles had been circulating since last year but had fervently been denied by both parties since.
Stan Dubois’ role with Dubois has never been fully clarified and has been questioned by talkSPORT themselves who noted Stan Dubois’ prevalent influence in Dubois’ corner while Don Charles served as a head coach.
Notably, Stan Dubois had been less in the picture when Daniel Dubois was coached by British trainer Shane McGuigan who trained Dubois between 2021 and 2023. The transition from McGuigan to Charles saw Stan Dubois become a more noticeable presence alongside Daniel Dubois ― before his role as orchestrator of pre-fight parties for Dubois’ 2024 win over Anthony Joshua and the recent Usyk fight was revealed.
Stan Dubois’ overbearing influence was further exposed by daughter Caroline Dubois ― the current WBC champion of the women’s lightweight (135 lbs) division ― who stated in an interview with SecondsOut how she had broken ties with her father and brother due to the former’s lack of support, perpetrated by his inability to control her.
How big Stan Dubois’ influence on Daniel Dubois is seemed to fully come to light during the revelation of pre-fight parties being thrown for Dubois, and certainly breeds speculation of a fighter that does not have control over his entire career.
In addition to Tony Sims potentially becoming Dubois’ trainer, boxing manager Sam Jones ― best known for representing Jack Catterall ― has also become the new manager in Dubois’ camp; a change that Dubois maintained was due to Jones’ talent as a manager.
