I sparred Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois but both were 'leaps and bounds away' from 'unbelievable power' of 6ft 8in giant

07/09/2024 16:03

Frazer Clarke has shared the ring with several big punchers.

The rising British heavyweight contender was a sparring partner for Anthony Joshua for a lengthy stretch during his time with Team GB Boxing in Sheffield when both men were under the tutelage of Robert McCracken.

Meanwhile, he has also got some work in with Joshua’s next opponent Daniel Dubois, who spent a brief stint with the podium squad before turning pro.

Throughout the build-up to fight night, boxing forums have been packed to the brim with theories about which of the Brits carries more concussive power.

Clarke insists Joshua carries more thud in a single shot but claims neither of them can punch as hard as David Price.

Speaking to Boxing Social ahead of Joshua and Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title fight on September 14, he said: "It's a really competitive, good fight. I still have AJ as favourite.

“But I've said this before and I'll say it again, if [Dubois] is not the heaviest puncher I've been in with, he's probably in the top three or four. He can really whack.

"It's a different kind of punch. I think on a single shot, probably Joshua just cause it comes with a bit more speed.

“They come sharp, but Dubois is a real thud. Both of them two are leaps and bounds away from David Price.

“F*** me. Jesus Christ. That was different gravy. And I was young at the time, probably 17, 18. That was an experience.

“I think he was taking it easy as well. In terms of one punch David Price… unbelievable power. Unbelievable."

Price, a former British heavyweight champion and Olympic bronze medallist, was noted for his one-punch knockout power.

During a professional career stretching from 2009 to 2019, Price compiled a record of 25-6, with 20 of those wins coming inside the distance.

By all accounts, the towering 6ft 8in Liverpudlian didn’t hold back in sparring either.

In 2011, Price was involved in a behind-closed-doors sparring session with Joshua, where he is said to have knocked out the Brit.

AJ has since confirmed the story to be true although the cards were significantly stacked against him given the ordeal he had been through the night before they exchanged leather.

“I think I was doing Thursday to Sunday because I was doing a development course," he told assembled media in 2018.

"Got nicked on the way up to training camp, for trouble.

“Got out Saturday and I went up there. I got there by the station. I do think he [Price] was very good at the time, very strong.

“And I was making too many mistakes. Those circumstances don't help when you're sparring an elite fighter.

"I even had to get the train to Sheffield because they took my car – just to show my commitment. What I learned was you cannot stop someone like me.

"They say you have two types of fighters; those that get dropped and stay down. But the ones you have to be wary of are the ones who keep on coming.

“You just cannot stop someone like that. I learned it will take more than just power or durability to stop me."