Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois top the bill at Wembley Stadium on September 21 for the latter’s new IBF World Heavyweight Title.
Both Brits have bounced back from losses to Oleksandr Usyk with stoppage wins – ‘AJ’ over Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou, Dubois against Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
The Ukrainian vacated his IBF belt to fulfil a contractual rematch with Tyson Fury this December, so interim champ Dubois was immediately elevated and will give Joshua a shot at becoming a three-time heavyweight titlist next month.
Speaking on T.P, Duke McKenzie MBE said he favoured Dubois in a fight that won’t go the distance.
“I don’t know if he’s the people’s favourite and I don’t know if he’s the bookies’ favourite, and I don’t gamble but if I did right now and I had to pick one person to win this particular fight I’m slightly leaning towards Dubois. Simply because … when you look at the last several fights that they’ve had, AJ’s had the softer ride in. Dubois has the more natural athleticism about him. He’s more loose than AJ. He would’ve done his research on AJ and know how to beat him.
I like the look of Dubois. In his last fight he proved so much to himself. Hrgovic is a big puncher, he’s a big strapping man. When he brought it to Dubois, Dubois didn’t back down, he just went ‘let’s go’ and he meant it … He knows this fight with Joshua is going to be probably life and death. I can’t see it going the distance because they both hit so hard.”
The three-time champion in the fly, bantam and super-bantamweight classes believes Joshua isn’t showing as much promise as he once did in the ring – something Dubois can capitalise on with ‘one of the best jabs in the business.’
“If this fight is a battle of the jabs, then Dubois wins hands down. In my opinion he hits just as hard as AJ. He’s quicker than AJ. He throws combinations, you don’t see AJ doing that anymore. AJ did that in the early part of his career when he was on the ascendency, but since stepping up in class he no longer does that. He’s gone strictly safety first. He only pulls the trigger when he’s in range … If he doesn’t land that [right hand] he has a little panic attack … Dubois right now is fearless.”
Joshua will step through the ropes favourite to snatch the belt from the 26-year-old when they face off after an impressive undercard.