IBF heavyweight title holder Daniel Dubois admits he will be the “underdog” when he fights Anthony Joshua next month and believes victory will legitimize his status as a world champion.
Dubois (21-2-0 20 KO) will make the first defense of the IBF title against Joshua (28-3-0 25 KO) in the headline bout of Riyadh Season’s first London show at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
‘Dynamite’ had held the IBF’s interim belt following his eighth-round stoppage victory over Filip Hrgovic in Riyadh in June, and was elevated to full champion when then undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title after agreeing to a rematch with Tyson Fury.
As far as first title defenses go, it doesn’t come much tougher for Dubois than against former two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua, although the Londoner believes by beating a fighter of A.J’s standing he will be making a statement about his own credentials as a champion.
“I’m the underdog because I have to prove myself and beating him and winning this next fight will set me as a legit champion,” Dubois told Sky Sports. “I’m raring to go. This is everything. The big opportunity.”
Dubois Wants The Knockout
Dubois might be considered the outsider for his bout against Joshua, but he will enter the ring next month following the two best wins of his career. Dynamite bounced back from his stoppage defeat to Usyk by knocking out Jarrell Miller in the 10th and final round in Riyadh in December, before inflicting a first loss on Hrgovic two months ago.
It suggests that 26-year-old Dubois is continuing to improve as a fighter, and he is determined to show that he is now at the same level as Joshua, Usyk, and Tyson Fury by securing victory at Wembley.
“Win by any means necessary but a stoppage is definitely what I’m after, a good stoppage and a statement victory, that’s what I’m all about,” he said. “Very confident, very sure and happy and ready to do the business. I’m just raring to go.
“Every day I’m working towards it leaving no stone unturned. Just work, work, work and victory is definite.”
Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles, had previously warned his fighter that he needs to improve his defense if he’s to beat Joshua, saying: “We have a lot of work to do. The defense, everyone has latched on to that and him getting with right hands. Yes, we can see that and we are trying to improve.”
Charles Happy With Dubois’ Progress
Speaking to Sky Sports, Charles revealed that he is happy with Dubois’ progress and believes the experience he has gained in his career has led to his moment against Joshua.
“He’s looking good and feeling good,” Charles said. “He’s enjoying his boxing. “Tweaking every shot that he has in his arsenal. I’ve got a very happy camp and a very happy fighter.
“He is the current IBF heavyweight world champion,” Charles added. “Every disappointment is also a blessing, the journey we’ve got planned for us, that’s the way it was written. We’re here.
“All this, whether it was the disappointment against Usyk, the Miller fight, the Hrgovic fight, brings us to where we are today. What happened, happened. Although it was disappointing in the beginning, it was a happy ending in the end that we’re here today.”
Before Dubois and Joshua climb through the ropes, Wembley will host a stacked undercard, with light-heavyweight contenders Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson in the co-main event, a domestic middleweight bout between Josh Kelly and Liam Smith, and IBF super-featherweight world champion Anthony Cacace defending his belt against Josh Warrington.
Hamzah Sheeraz will also be fighting Tyler Denny for the European middleweight title, and there is a lightweight fight between Mark Chamberlain and Josh Padley.
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