Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight champion, has intrigued many with his unusual yet effective training methods. The application of calisthenics—a 1,000-year-old method of bodyweight training—has transformed Dubois into an extraordinary physical specimen, despite his 1.96m height and approximately 109kg weight. His physical skills and flexibility surpass even those of much smaller boxers.
Calisthenics involves bodyweight exercises instead of machines or weights. Practitioners perform movements like push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and planks to develop strength, endurance, and body control.
While typically a staple for gymnasts, calisthenics has become an effective supplemental training method for Dubois. Unlike many heavyweight boxers who prioritize strength training alone, Dubois incorporates calisthenics, free movement, and gymnastics into his routine—notably excelling in flexibility and rotation on the high bar.
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Daniel Dubois practices gymnastics with coach Cuong Hua. Photo: Sunsport |
Daniel Dubois practices gymnastics with coach Cuong Hua. Photo: Sunsport
The British boxer has worked with coach Cuong Hua for the past 7 years, executing movements rarely seen from someone his size. "The optimal weight and height for male gymnasts is a maximum of 1.72 meters and 65-75 kg. But Dubois is different; he has a unique physique," Hua told SunSport. "I've never seen anyone like him. I’ve trained many smaller boxers, but Dubois is a different case."
Hua continued, "Even compared to some of the smaller fighters I've worked with, Dubois's body weight on the bar, in the ring, is completely different. Gymnastics has been around for thousands of years. It’s the oldest form of training, using just your body weight. The kind of strength you can build, the type gymnasts have, I think you can only achieve that through body weight, gymnastics, movement, and mobility."
DAZN captured a video of Dubois performing a full rotation on the high bar. Gymnastic ring exercises improve core control, balance, and core strength—crucial for powerful punches. Experts say these exercises make the transfer of force from feet to fists more stable and effective than fixed weightlifting.
Dubois is no stranger to traditional training methods. He revealed his father made him do push-ups for up to 5 hours as a child, before he turned professional in 2017. "I think the help from Cuong and others has added a lot to me," the 27-year-old boxer said. "As well as the basic foundation my father instilled in me and my siblings from a young age, I will have a physical advantage."
Dubois has won 22 of his 24 professional fights, with 21 knockouts, a 95% knockout rate. One of his two losses was against Usyk, when he was knocked out in the ninth round challenging for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles in August 2023.
Usyk is currently the number one heavyweight boxer. In 5/2024, the 38-year-old defeated Tyson Fury by decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era—WBA, IBF, WBC, and WBO. Usyk was later stripped of the IBF title, so he only defended the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles against Fury. In their rematch in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2024, the Ukrainian boxer won again by decision, retaining his three titles.
After Usyk was stripped of the IBF title, Dubois was promoted from interim to full champion. The 27-year-old defended his title by knocking down fellow countryman Anthony Joshua four times en route to a fifth-round knockout at Wembley in 9/2024. Dubois was scheduled to defend his title against Joseph Parker in February but withdrew due to health reasons.
Compiled by Hong Duy
