By Charles Brun – 06/03/2024 – Feedback
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois are reportedly in negotiations for an all-UK heavyweight battle on September twenty first at Wembley Stadium in London.
The younger gun, Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs), could have his IBF interim heavyweight title readily available, and it might be the total belt by then if the Worldwide Boxing Federation upgrades it for the Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) battle.
talkSport that Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren has revealed that talks at the moment are underway. It’s unsurprising that Joshua, 34, is preventing Dubois as a result of it’s his solely actual selection for his subsequent battle in September.
Why Joshua Wants This Battle
- Location: The battle is in London, so Joshua wanted a neighborhood fighter to assist fill the enormous Wembley stadium. Zhilei Zhang, the opposite choice, wouldn’t have labored as a result of he’s not from the UK, and he’s up there at 41. If Joshua misplaced to Zhang, it might be career-over, and he’d be on the identical sinking ship as Deontay Wilder. Joshua isn’t far-off from these fighters in age, as he turns 35 in October.
- IBF Title and Negotiating Energy: He must get his fingers on the IBF title to strengthen his negotiating place for a battle towards the winner of the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk 2 rematch on December twenty first. With Joshua possessing the IBF belt, he can discount higher on the negotiating desk with the winner of the Fury-Usyk II battle than if he went into the talks empty-handed. Joshua doubtless feels it’s vital to have some title on his shoulder when he walks into the ring for picture functions. Even when it’s simply the interim IBF belt, the picture of Joshua holding a title performs higher for casuals than if he simply walked into the ring.
- High quality Opponent and Rebuilding Confidence: AJ hasn’t fought a superb opponent since his second defeat towards Oleksandr Usyk 4 fights in the past. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has matched him towards 4 consecutive weak opponents since then to rebuild his model with the UK public and mentally give him a lift so he may consider in himself as soon as once more. With Joshua beating simple marks like Otto Wallin, Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, and Francis Ngannou, it’s vital that he lastly face somebody of potential as a substitute of the second-tier fodder that he’s been purposefully matched towards since final yr.
Dubois’ Rising Star
Dubois’ eighth-round TKO win over beforehand unbeaten IBF necessary Filip Hrgovic final Saturday night time in the course of the ‘5 vs. 5′ occasion in Riyadh generated essentially the most buzz of any of the fights on the cardboard. The 26-year-old Dubois was the star of that present, and that is the perfect time for Joshua to battle him.
On the detrimental aspect. Dubois’ confidence is driving excessive, and he is likely to be an excessive amount of for Joshua, who has proven repeatedly all through his profession that he has a weak chin and poor stamina. He gasses shortly when dealing with good opposition, and when he will get hit, he stays harm.
