Written by: Sean Crose
All this may be old hat to Anthony Joshua, but to Daniel Dubois it's no doubt big news – because Wembley Stadium is sold out for the two-man IBF heavyweight title fight on September 21. While former world champion Joshua may be selling out Wembley once a month, Dubois has found himself in a big British fight. Although it will be Joshua's fifth appearance at Wembley, it will be the second time Dubois has slipped between the ropes at the famous stadium. The other time was in 2019 when he stopped Richard Harrison in mid-range.
On the other hand, Joshua beat none other than Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley, as well as Kubrat Pulev, Alexander Povetkin and Matt Legg. Joshua, however, is a proven superstar, while Dubois is the epitome of a hungry opponent. With only defeats to Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce, Dubois – who, like Londoner Joshua – has defeated Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic respectively in his last two fights. Both men were undefeated before entering the ring with Dubois. In other words, although Joshua may enter the ring as a betting favorite in September, the fight is by no means a guaranteed victory for the Englishman.
“I aim to be the best,” Sky Sports quotes Dubois as saying, “fight the best and beat the best. AJ has been king for a long time, and we all know that, so tonight I need to be the king's killer.” As for Joshua, this man knows very well that, although (he will) play a lot in this game, Dubois is not playing. “I know the game,” said Joshua (via Sky Sports) We are all wild. We are a pack of lions and hunters.” Joshua added that he is focused on the September bout. “It's the next man,” he said. “I had Dubois on my mind for a long time.”
Although both men have lost (Joshua lost to Andy Ruiz, who beat him again, as well as Usyk, who took him by decision twice), each man has shown that he can successfully come back from adversity. “I've improved all around as a wrestler and athlete,” said Dubois. “I'm really ready for this and I'm ready to go.” Joshua no doubt feels the same way, which is no doubt part of the reason why the massive Wembley Stadium was sold out for this fight.
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