Anthony Joshua threatens Daniel Dubois with a CHAIR as the pair nearly come to blows in ill-tempered sit-down interview to announce September 21 bout at Wembley, with security forced to intervene

Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois almost came to blows when they met at the launch of their world heavyweight title fight on September 21.

When the mood changed during the taping of a TV promo on the other side of the table, both stood up angrily. Dubois waved his fist and said, “Right. Now let’s do it here.’

Joshua explained his reaction: “I said let’s go, but then I took a step back. There are two elements at work here. Boxing under the Queensberry Rules and our fighting instincts.

‘I chose to be the bigger man’

Tough security personnel hastily intervened to keep the two English rivals apart.

On Wednesday it was announced that Joshua and Dubois will fight for the IBF title on September 21

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn (right) revealed AJ brandished a chair after feeling ‘disrespected’

Promoter Frank Warren said; ‘This was serious. We don’t need any stunts to sell this fight.”

Wembley Stadium is sold out in no time. ‘Who wouldn’t want two British giants with enormous strength to attack each other? That’s what heavyweight boxing is all about.

‘Daniel is really ready for this fight. And the big pressure is on Joshua at this later stage of his career.”

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, added: ‘It was at the end when they said, ‘September 21st and not before’, and Daniel said, ‘If you want to go now, I’ll go now.’

“AJ said, ‘You want me to slam this chair in your face? Don’t ever make me look disrespectful like that again.’ And he went for it. They had to be pulled apart.”

Dubois said: ‘Every night now I dream about knocking him out and walking away’

The flare-up came in the corridors of Wembley Arena after Oleksandr Usyk gave Joshua the chance to become a three-time world heavyweight champion by taking on this Battle of Britain.

Usyk sent a video message to the duo, both of whom he defeated – AJ even twice – on his way to becoming the first undisputed champion of the four-cushion era.

He said: ‘My friends, the IBF title is my gift to you’

But his gesture in leaving that alpha belt denies Tyson Fury the chance to finally become the undisputed world champion when their rematch in December in Saudi Arabia.

The WBC, WBA and WBO titles are still on the line in Riyadh over Christmas week. But if the Gypsy King ever wants to conquer the pool, he will have to avenge his defeat to Usyk and then hope that the winner of Dubois-Joshua agrees to fight him in 2025.

And the question is whether Fury will be as motivated in December without the lure of the ultimate prize.

Dubois cut short a Brazilian vacation at Rio’s bikini-laden Copacabana Beach to fly home for this showdown.

He discovered that the IBF had promoted him from interim world champion to world champion when he turned on his cell phone after landing.

Dubois explained how he “dreamed every night” about knocking out his fellow Briton

The fight comes with Oleksandr Usyk vacating his IBF title ahead of a rematch with Tyson Fury

“I saw the news on social media,” he said. ‘Actually, I would have preferred to win the title in the ring. But I’ll take care of that by beating AJ.”

The IBF had been concerned about whether to strip Usyk of his title and thus break up the first undisputed championship fight in nearly two decades. The Ukrainian idol simplified that decision.

Dubois also simplified their decision with his sensational knockout of their mandatory contender Filip Hrgovic. Usyk’s ‘gift’ allowed the IBF to sanction Joshua v Dubois.

Money-pulling power is how the posters are labeling this fight, but in fact Joshua will be the challenger.