Teddy Atlas says IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois can win his title protection in opposition to the extra skilled however older Anthony Joshua if he believes it’s his “future” on Saturday night time in London.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) regarded nervous throughout Thuraday’s closing press convention. You would inform he was attempting his greatest to placed on a false entrance to look courageous, however his performing abilities couldn’t disguise his worry.
Joshua is aware of that is the perfect fighter he’s ever confronted throughout his 11-year skilled profession, and it’s come on the worst time for him. He’s about to show 35 in October, and he wants this win to enter his battle with Tyson Fury on a constructive observe.
The final 4 weak opponents that Joshua has fought haven’t ready him for this second to battle a troublesome, youthful fighter like Dubois. AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, was attempting to assist him keep on prime, however his good intentions might backfire for this battle as a result of he’s been stunted.
“What’s stronger? An excellent proper hand by a two-time heavyweight champ and an Olympic gold medalist of Joshua [or the self-belief of Dubois]. That’s what this battle comes all the way down to,” mentioned Teddy Atlas to Boxing King Media in regards to the battle between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has regarded no totally different in his latest fights since Ben Davison took over as his coach than he did earlier. Promoter Eddie Hearn moved Joshua in opposition to lesser fighters to rebuild his confidence, and he caught with it for 4 fights as an alternative of only one or two.
Hearn’s determination to have Joshua take 4 confidence-builders means that he had worries. Promoters don’t do this with fighters until they’ve deep issues. He had some critical worries, and he ought to have after the way in which Joshua mentally fell aside in opposition to Oleksandr Usyk of their rematch in 2022.
“If he [Dubois] will get hit with proper fingers like he did in opposition to Hrgovic, he’s going to wish that can 2.0,” mentioned Atlas. “He’s going to wish that and present the world that can is stronger than talent. That may is stronger than an ideal proper hand. That’s how he wins the battle.”
Dubois hasn’t been hit with anybody that has Joshua’s energy, nevertheless it won’t matter. He appears to need to win this battle, and is believing in himself after his string of spectacular performances.
“Hopefully, he’s improved in camp, and his protection has gotten higher,” mentioned Atlas. “However what it’s actually going to return all the way down to is the desire of him in opposition to the talent of Joshua. If he has it in his head that it’s his [Dubois] future to win this battle. If Dubois believes that it’s his future to win this battle, that’s as harmful as any punch within the e book.”
Joshua, 34, doesn’t possess the youth or the stamina to get in a battle with Dubois on Saturday night time. His greatest guess for profitable is that if Dubois fights tentatively, attempting to field and never pushing a quick tempo. If Dubois fights like Joshua’s final 4 opponents, combating at a gradual tempo, AJ can win by setting him up for an enormous shot.
“Dubois’ enhancements have been on the psychological aspect the place he doesn’t beat himself no extra and provides in. His enchancment is he believes in himself. That’s his enchancment. Joshua has been trying nice. With Joshua, it’s his method. It’s in a great place,” mentioned Atas.
Joshua has regarded good, however these are the tomato cans that he’s regarded good in opposition to:
– Francis Ngannou
– Otto Wallin
– Robert Helenius
– Jermaine Franklin
Franklin is the one one of many 4 who’s a real contender. When Hearn picked him, he was a backside fringe-level fighter coming off a loss to Dillian Whyte.
“Dubois’ enhancements haven’t been within the technical sense. His enchancment is he can behave like a fighter when the second comes. The facility of a Hrgovic proper hand vs. the facility of a Joshua proper hand they’re not in the identical ballpark. Joshua’s proper hand is far more harmful,” mentioned Atlas.
Even when Dubois does get hit by Joshua after steadily as he did in opposition to Hrgovic, he can nonetheless win if he can deal with the facility. If Joshua can’t knock Dubois out inside three or 4 rounds, he’s going to be exhausted, and he’ll crumble from the arduous punches he’s getting hit with.
Hrgovic took numerous heavy photographs within the early rounds from Dubois, and though he landed numerous good punches, he was getting worn down. Joshua can’t take Hrgovic’s punches from Dubois with out getting stopped early within the contest, maybe as quickly because the third.
