Trainer Tony Sims speaks out after Daniel Dubois leaves to rejoin Don Charles

More details have emerged on Daniel Dubois making a sudden return to his former trainer Don Charles.

Dubois and Charles had spent the past few years working together, reaching a high point when the big-punching Brit became IBF heavyweight champion and scored a knockout win over Anthony Joshua in September 2024 in his first defence.

Charles had previously been trainer for fellow heavyweight Derek Chisora, and it appeared that his partnership with Dubois was going to be a long and successful one.

However, the relationship broke down after Dubois lost to Olekdandr Usyk in their undisputed showdown at Wembley Stadium last July, with it also emerging that the heavyweight had a pre-fight party at his house on the day of the bout.

‘DDD’ announced his decision to leave Charles – who said that he believed the decision was not made by the fighter himself – and linked up with Tony Sims, who has previously been in the corner for Joshua and is also the long-term trainer of Conor Benn.

Before the pair have even christened the partnership with a fight, Dubois has now announced his return to Charles, and Sims has given his account of the split to Pro Boxing Fans.

“I guess me and Daniel just didn’t gel. So I think it’s a good move for him to go back to Don. Sometimes a certain coach is made for a certain fighter.”

Dubois is expected to return to action in early 2026, with Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang among the list of potential opponents. It will now be down to Charles to craft a gameplan for the comeback.