The clash between the two native sons was the subject of a massive communication campaign on television and in the streets, attracting 96,000 people to the stadium, an attendance never before seen in the post-war period for a boxing match in Great Britain.
In the ring, Daniel Dubois (27 years old) will try to keep the IBF belt that he obtained in June against Filip Hrgovic, on an interim basis, then on a permanent basis when its holder Oleksandr Usyk gave it up by default. “I have to keep this world title,” declared the Londoner, nicknamed “Dynamite” or “Triple D” at a press conference: “it’s a great thing to have, but I have to become legitimate by winning this fight.”
Dubois already gave Joshua a glimpse of his power during a 2016 training session that left his elder brother reeling. Eight years later, he has a record of 21 wins, 20 of them by knockout, and two losses. “I’m on the rise, I’m on a roll,” he boasted, before cutting short: “No more words, just fighting, punching. I’m ready to fight and destroy.”
“Remember what I am capable of”
Facing him, Anthony Joshua has at 34 years of age a greater experience (28 victories including 25 by KO, against three defeats) and a more extensive record, with a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and two world titles in the premier category. But his career took a big setback when he lost his belts in 2021 against Usyk, before suffering a second consecutive defeat in 2022 against the Ukrainian, who has since become unified world champion.
“AJ” is back on track. He is on a four-game winning streak where he has made his mark, notably against MMA star Francis Ngannou.
The duel against Dubois could put him in the very exclusive club of triple world champions, like Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis. Or bring him back to the brink… “It’s good to be back,” he told the media. “I’m ready to fight and remind everyone what I’m capable of.”
Promoter Frank Warren is looking forward to this fight between “two big hitters” with positive dynamics. “We have a two-time world champion against the + new kid on the block + (expression to describe a young celebrity, editor’s note)”, he summed up, “we are certainly going to witness something special”.
