Joshua expects tough Dubois challenge

Anthony Joshua says he expects a tough challenge from Daniel Dubois in their IBF heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium on September 21, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

“It’s going to be a tough night’s work for sure,” Joshua told DAZN when discussing the fight against Dubois.

The two-time former world champion praised Dubois’ close-knit family unit, recognising it as a strength that has benefitted the 27-year-old’s career.

“I look at the pros in people, and I like the family, the synergy he has with his family,” Joshua said. “It plays a part; it plays a massive part in the influence a family has in a fighter’s career. I think that is helping Daniel along the way.”

The highly anticipated clash will see 96,000 fans create an electric atmosphere at Wembley Stadium, a venue familiar to Joshua but a new territory for Dubois.

While Joshua has fought multiple times under the iconic Wembley arch, this will be Dubois’ first venture into England’s national stadium.

The pressure will be on Dubois’ team, led by trainer Don Charles, to keep emotions in check ahead of what is undoubtedly the biggest fight of his career.

Joshua, 33, is coming off four straight wins, including a knockout victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

The British-Nigerian recently refuted claims Dubois nearly knocked him out during a sparring session in 2016, saying, “He just cracked me with a good shot. I stood on my feet. I don’t know where this whole narrative of someone turning my lights off came from.”

Dubois, 26, has bounced back from a disappointing performance against Oleksandr Usyk with consecutive stoppage victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, and he is now determined to dethrone Joshua.

“AJ’s been the king for a long time, and on the night, I need to become a king slayer. That’s my goal; that’s the mission at hand,” he said.

The boxing community is divided on the possible outcome of the fight. While some former world champions like Liam Smith and Josh Warrington back Joshua, others, including Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang, believe Dubois has what it takes to shock the world.

As the September 21 showdown approaches, both fighters are in top form and hungry for victory, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated heavyweight clashes of the
year.