Anthony Joshua showed signs of some nerves as the former world champion went head-to-head with current ruler Daniel Dubois in London.
Joshua, who lost his heavyweight titles twice in the past, aims to become three-time on Saturday night and knows the stakes are high. On the flip side of his potentially historic feat, Joshua’s career could be capsized if Dubois can do what Andy Ruiz Jr. did in 2019 – knock out the Londoner.
As AJ looked into the eyes of the knockout artist and the man who humbled Filip Hrgovic at Tower Bridge, the eyes told a story that the Watford man is aware his career could end this weekend at the National Stadium.
Coming into the fight having defeated three fighters who were unranked in the heavyweight top ten, Joshua will have to raise his game for Dubois in front of a sell-out crowd this weekend. Joshua is undefeated at the venue, having previously stopped Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin in world title fights at Wembley.
Klitschko came into the fight on the back of a loss. While Povetkin was the mandatory who Joshua turned to when he turned down a fight with Deontay Wilder in 2018.
Despite not winning the belts from the actual champion, Joshua will take the trio of title wins regardless.
“Three times, I’ve done it once, I’ve done it twice – nothing has really changed,” he told Matchroom. “I’ve had to work extremely hard to improve my performance, so I’m fully focused on my performance. That will bring me all the glitz, glam, and glory.”
On what happens if he wins, Joshua added, “I’m not looking that far ahead because that’s just the icing on the cake. I’ve said to myself, precisely, performance is the most important thing for me. Mentality is the most important thing for me. All of the other stuff will follow that.”
Ahead of another chance to claim a title vacated by the number one heavyweight in the world [Tyson Fury in 2015 and Oleksandr Usyk in 2024], Joshua is not taking Dubois lightly and brushed off the suggestion of nerves.
“It’s another day, and another lion is in the jungle, and another lion is ready to hunt. It’s just another day for me. Preparation is everything. If you prepare, you’re relaxed. That’s because you’ve taken yourself there physically, taken yourself there mentally, and truly believe in yourself. I’m good.”
Dubois heads into his highly-anticipated showdown with Joshua coming off the back of a career-best win over Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic on the Queensberry vs. Matchroom card last June. The pair know each other well, having shared rounds of sparring in Sheffield, and Joshua is confident that he will have too much experience for his younger rival.
The younger buck holding the crown Joshua wants, Dubois, is a 3/1 underdog despite beating the better competition of late. Joshua is confident of putting on a show for the record crowd.
“I’m well-prepared physically and mentally. I think the fans will definitely be in for an entertaining night, ” Joshua predicted.
“There’s only one way, and I know exactly what I’m going to do. I’m not leaving it up to ‘anyway’ I know exactly what I’m going to do, and I know exactly what I’ve got to do, and I’ll do it.”
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
