Daniel Dubois looks like an improved boxer since his first defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, and part of the success is down to a secret weapon in camp.
Dubois is set to face Usyk in one of the biggest fights of his career, back in Wembley Stadium, where he spectacularly knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round.
The IBF world champion was supposed to defend his title against Joseph Parker in February but had to withdraw the week of the fight due to illness.
Now he returns for a chance to rectify his loss in the first encounter with the Ukrainian, where he suffered a ninth-round KO loss.
Dubois labels Kieran Farrell ‘ferocious’ secret weapon in Usyk camp
What ‘Dynamite’ did not have in his camp before the loss to the consensus top heavyweight was former professional boxer Kieran Farrell.
In an interview, he revealed the difference the Mancunian has made to his game since joining the camp in March 2024.
He said: “My dad got in contact with Kieran, he wanted a new guy who could bring the speed into it, Kieran is hectic, he is ferocious, all over the place.
“I needed someone to just keep the work rate up and bring that young life, vibrant energy into the camp. We bring in who we have to.”
Farrell is credited with helping the 27-year-old defeat Joshua in his career-defining win last September.
The British fighter also recognised others in his corner who aided his development, but singled out his father Dave Dubois, as ‘the most important voice’.
Who is Kieran Farrell? The former boxer who helped Dubois KO Joshua
Many will know him as part of the DDD team, but Farrell was a professional in his own right before stepping into a coaching role.
The man known as ‘Vicious’ amassed a 14-0 record with a Central Area title to his name before suffering a life-changing defeat in his final fight.
After boxing ten rounds with Anthony Crolla, he was stretchered out of the ring suffering from brain damage, which ultimately ended his fighting career.
But he didn’t let that keep him away from the sport; instead he opened up the ‘People’s Gym’ in Manchester.
Now he is finding his greatest success with the young champion, helping him dethrone some of the top heavyweights and potentially guiding him to undisputed status.