Daniel Dubois revealed he was looking forward to “legitimising” his status as IBF heavyweight champion against Anthony Joshua.
The 27-year-old boxer will defend his title for the first time in one of the biggest fights of his career on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium.
He nevertheless acknowledges that he has a title to defend because that the IBF deposed Oleksandr Usyk illogically before he can defend his undisputed title for the first time in his rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21 – and not because he won it in the ring, as tradition dictates.
Dubois recorded successive and impressive victories over Jarrell Miller And Filip Hrgovicpreviously unbeaten, before being elevated to champion status, but he knows that circumstances and the recognition of Usyk and Fury’s status as the best heavyweights in the world mean he has something to prove against his 34-year-old domestic rival.
“You’ll see, it’s my time,” he told DAZN. “I’m the man. I have to go out there and legitimize it – I’m the champion.”
” [Je suis] Good. Confident. I’m relaxed and enjoying it all, absorbing the energy. It’s good.”
“I’m going to feed off that energy and that preparation – I can’t wait. It’s my time. I’m ready for it.”
“By any means necessary – victory. That’s the goal.”
Some English media have doubted Dubois’ potential to fill a stadium like Wembley and have made this known, but Dubois does not endorse and ignores all this.
“I have experience now. All this – the media and everything – I don’t let it bother me. It’s the build-up to the storm on Saturday.
“What’s the point of getting upset over nothing? I’m ready to fight. Wherever we have to, we will.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win. If that means rushing, fighting, headbutting, anything. Anything to win and keep my belt. You’ll see, don’t worry about it.”
“It’s huge, man. It’s not the biggest, but it’s huge. I’m really enjoying it right now. It’s a great atmosphere. I’m going to feed off that energy on Saturday.”
“I’m the champion, so I have to operate like one. I’m the champion for now. I’m the champion.”
“I’ll feel even better on Saturday when I win. I’m right where I need to be. This is what I’ve wanted since I was a little boy – I was sitting there as a young boxer at Repton [Amateur Boxing Club] and in every club we’ve been to so far, so I’m ready for that.”
” [Je] “I’m getting leaner and I’m not trying too hard. I’m just going to be explosive on Saturday.”