- Dubois said he will ‘drag AJ into the trenches’ in their world title fight on Saturday
- The boxer is confident he will defy the odds to defend his IBF heavyweight title
- There were no insults or jabs when the two faced each other for the final time on Thursday
Daniel Dubois has vowed to drag Anthony Joshua into the trenches at Wembley on Saturday, believing he has timed his clash with his British rival perfectly.
Two days after Joshua declared he was “willing to die” in the ring in his quest to become a three-time heavyweight world champion, IBF kingpin Dubois insisted his more experienced opponent is vulnerable under fire.
This belief is based on Joshua’s cautious style of play since his blowout defeat to Andy Ruiz in 2019, when he was knocked down four times. Although he avenged that loss, he was subsequently defeated twice by Oleksandr Usyk.
Only in his last two fights – wins over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou under new trainer Ben Davison – has he started to growl again, but Dubois feels there is still a weakness that must be exploited.
“I’ve got to take him back to that dark place and make him uncomfortable there, make him break down in the ring. That’s what I plan to do. He’s ready to take it now,” Dubois said.
Anthony Joshua (left) and Daniel Dubois (right) face off for their world title clash
Dubois believes AJ is ‘there for the taking’ and that the fight has come at the perfect time
‘I’m on the rise, I’ve got momentum on my side. No more words – just fight, punch. I’m ready to fight and destroy. Destroy.’
Dubois had to deal with the trauma he himself suffered in the ring after he fell to his knees against Joe Joyce in 2020. The decision led to him being considered a quitter, despite suffering a fractured left orbital bone.
For some, there was further reputational damage when the 27-year-old Londoner was knocked out in the ninth round last year after Usyk landed a punch.
But like Joshua, he has built up his strength with hard-fought wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic before securing the IBF title when Usyk left in June to take on Tyson Fury for a revenge match.
“The last two fights were my redemption. This is about planting a flag – moving forward as a world champion. I’m just a hungry young lion now,” Dubois said.
“I’m here to get respect, you know. In boxing, there’s no respect and I’m ready to get it, keep my belt and still be world champion.”
Joshua is the heavy favourite to secure his fifth victory in as many appearances at Wembley, but promoter Frank Warren believes the British rivals’ recent records tip significantly in Dubois’ favour.
“Daniel has fought much better opponents in his last few fights, there is no doubt about that,” said Queensberry boss Warren.
“He was the underdog in every one of those fights and he came through and did what he had to do. The guy who has all the pressure on him is AJ. He goes into this as the favorite, according to a lot of people.
Joshua (pictured) is the favourite to win, but Dubois believes he can upset the odds on Saturday night
‘He’s the one who can’t afford to lose this fight because he’s 34 years old. If he loses this fight, what happens?
“I don’t think Daniel will lose. Daniel is a better puncher and his jabs are more meaningful jabs. Every jab is an offensive jab, whereas you look at AJ’s jabs, he’s trying to line you up with a jab.
“I want AJ to throw those bombs because when he throws them, he’s vulnerable to counterattacks.”