Anthony Joshua is set to compete for his third world heavyweight title this weekend in a highly anticipated match against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, where the IBF heavyweight title will be at stake. With both fighters having an impressive combined total of 45 career knockouts, the event is expected to be a thrilling showcase of power and skill, attracting nearly 100,000 fans.
Joshua recently expressed his confidence following a significant knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, claiming he is in the best form of his career. “Aside from belts, and it being him, I’m just ready to fight. This is alpha male business now. September 21. It’s going down,” he stated in an interview with DAZN Sports.
The former champion is on a winning streak, having bounced back from consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk. He emphasized that he believes “the best AJ is still to come” and is solely focused on defeating Dubois. With an eight-year age difference between the fighters, Joshua remains unwavering in his belief that he can triumph.
“This is a high-paced fight with two big punchers. These fights take a lot of you, and you have to dig deep because there’s no other exit except for victory,” Joshua remarked, highlighting the intensity of the upcoming bout.
The winner of this match will likely earn a shot at either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, who are scheduled to rematch on December 21 in Riyadh. The rivalry between Joshua and Dubois has been palpable, with tensions flaring at a recent press conference where Joshua insisted on mutual respect after Dubois suggested determining who the better fighter is immediately.
The backstory includes speculation about a sparring session between the two fighters years ago, which Joshua addressed, saying, “People say he rocked me. People say he dropped me…but the best way to prove it is by fighting me.” Dubois downplayed the sparring rumors, focusing instead on the significance of their upcoming fight.
Meanwhile, Dubois, who faced a setback with a knockout loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, is eager to seize this opportunity. “I was in a dark place, but I feel like I’ve been resurrected again and I am in the light and ready to fight. He has been the king for a while… but I am a kingslayer,” he declared, asserting his determination to dethrone Joshua.
Dubois is resolute about his intentions in the ring, stating, “Joshua’s the main man holding all the keys. I aim to knock him out. I’m going to make a fool out of him by knocking him out.” The fight promises to be an intense encounter, with both athletes poised to make their mark on boxing history.