Boxing

DANIEL DUBOIS is willing to get down and dirty to do a demolition job on Anthony Joshua this weekend.’Triple D’ makes his maiden defence of the IBF heavyweight title against the Watford warrior at Wembley on Saturday night.Daniel Dubois will throw down with Anthony Joshua at Wembley on Saturday nightCredit: MATCHROOMDubois will be making the first defence of his IBF heavyweight title against AJCredit: REUTERSTriple D is willing to go to extreme measures to have his hand raised at WembleyCredit: GettyThe Greenwich gladiator is a huge underdog going into his domestic dust-up with the golden boy of British boxing, despite being the defending champion.Dubois, 27, knows former two-time unified champ AJ will be the biggest test of his career and is willing to do whatever it takes to beat his former sparring partner – including sticking his nut on him.He said: “I’ll do whatever it takes to win. Do you know what I mean?”If it means rushing in, [a] dog fight, headbutts. Everything, you know? Anything to win and retain my belt.”READ MORE ON DUBOIS VS AJDubois and AJ almost came to blows during a heated sit-down face-off in June, with security stopping them from prematurely trading punches.Dubois didn’t cower to AJ’s threat of hitting him with a chair and doesn’t plan on doing so in the ring.When asked if he plans to hold the centre of the squared circle, he told Matchroom Boxing: “You guys are gonna see, don’t worry about that.”A whopping 96,000 fans will cram into Wembley to watch Dubois and Joshua duke it out for the prestigious red IBF strap.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyAnd the magnitude of the moment isn’t lost on Dubious, who said: “This is big. This is big, man.”It ain’t the biggest, but this is big and I’m just really soaking it all up right now.Watch incredible Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois promo video directed by Guy Ritchie as fans call it ‘one for the ages'”It’s a great atmosphere and I just want to feed off the energy on Saturday.”Dubois got his hands on the IBF strap as a result of Oleksandr Usyk vacating the belt a month after his undisputed Saudi showdown with Tyson Fury in May.He won the interim title in early June with an eighth-round stoppage of Filip Hrgovic but was elevated to full champion status following Usyk’s vacation of the belt.But he doesn’t feel like a paper champion going into the biggest fight of his career.”I’m the champ,” he roared. “I don’t agree with that one. I’m the champ, for now. I’m the champ.”It will feel even better on Saturday when I win. “I’m just in the zone right now. It’s what I’ve wanted since I was a little kid.”Daniel Dubois doesn’t feel like a paper champion – despite not winning the IBF belt in the ringCredit: Getty More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury are facing a fight just to get their Battle of Britain over the line before the deadline. The British superstar pair and rivals have spent years circling each other with failed negotiations to finally share the ring. Anthony Joshua ahead of his fight with Tyson FuryCredit: GettyTyson Fury rematches Oleksandr Usyk on December 21Credit: GettyBut now their previously feuding promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren have joined forces thanks to Saudi Arabia’s deeps financial pockets. Fury, 36, lost his WBC belt and undefeated record in May to Oleksandr Usyk, 37, who became the first four-belt heavyweight undisputed champion. They now rematch back in Riyadh on December 21 while Joshua, 34, challenges Daniel Dubois, 26, for the WBC strap on Saturday. Victory for AJ and Fury sets them up for a stunning grudge match next year. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh has maintained even in defeat the former world champs will get an offer to fight. And Hearn told BBC Sport: “I do think AJ-Fury will happen regardless of whether Fury wins or not, but the size of the fight depends on their next two results.” Asked whether there is a deadline of 2025, Hearn replied: “Yes, definitely.”Joshua and Fury guarantee themselves bigger purses if they both prevail victorious. Most read in BoxingJoshua vs Dubois fight predictions THIS weekend Wembley will witness one of the biggest all-British fights of all-time.But who will emerge victorious under the famous arch? Some of the biggest names in boxing have been having their say…Oleksandr Usyk: “My favourite is Anthony Joshua but I am very bad at predictions. But I will predict Anthony Joshua.”Dillian Whyte: “I just think that it’s one of those fights where it is a genuine 50/50 fight in my opinion.”Joe Joyce: “I was initially edging with Joshua but I don’t know, Dubois is coming on.”Frazer Clarke: “As heavy-handed as Dubois is and as good a fighter as he’s becoming, I still have to go for Joshua.”Francis Ngannou: “Even though Joshua lost against Usyk twice and Dubois fought Usyk and almost knocked him down and almost won, I would still give this to Joshua.”Click here for more fight predictions for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel DuboisCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd Hearn believes it sets up a bout of never-before-seen magnitude. He added: “If AJ beats Dubois and Fury beats Usyk, you’ve got the biggest fight in the history of the sport ever. “If one loses and the other wins, it’s still a monster fight.”Fury and Usyk are also expected to be in attendance for AJ’s title fight against Dubois at Wembley. Anthony Joshua reveals he swears by 12-word motto in brutal dig at Daniel Dubois before Wembley Stadium showdown More

ANTHONY JOSHUA could wake up as heavyweight world champion again on Sunday – but he will still have to do the washing and ironing. AJ challenges for Daniel Dubois’ IBF belt in what is expected to be a record 96,000 sellout at Wembley Stadium. Anthony Joshua ahead of his fight with Daniel DuboisCredit: PAIt would put him in an exclusive heavyweight club alongside Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko as three-time champ. But Joshua said: “Do you know what’s crazy, on Sunday morning you wake up and it’s the same. “Your bills still come out of your account, you’ve got to do your washing, it’s all the same.”When I was in Saudi in the Airbnb I was just there ironing and washing after the Francis Ngannou fight. It’s mad. READ MORE IN BOXING”The only difference is that it hurts losing. It takes a few weeks to get over but time is the best healer. “When you win, you’re on a high and you want to experience that. When you lose, you get low and it takes time to get back balanced.”After the Ngannou fight, everything was good, you’re riding that wave and hopefully we do that on Saturday as well.”Joshua first won gold in 2016, knocking out Charles Martin for the same red strap he challenges Dubois for eight years later. Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe then added the WBA and WBO belts to unify but lost them to Andy Ruiz Jr in a stunning 2019 upset.It set up a heroic rematch victory six months later but Joshua again dropped the titles to Oleksandr Usyk, 37, this time failing to win them back in the rematch.Watch incredible Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois promo video directed by Guy Ritchie as fans call it ‘one for the ages’AJ has since won four on the spin and goes into his fight with Dubois, 27, as confident as ever. He said: “Of course he is dangerous, but let me tell you, this is the thing with fighting; it takes more than being strong to be a champion and to be a complete fighter.I truly believe from what I’ve studied, read and what great people who have come before me have said, it takes more than being a physical specimen. “It’s a good attribute but when you come across someone who is willing to take that from you, you’ve given them your best shot and they are able to take it, that’s when you figure out what it takes to be a champion. “That’s what I’ve done. I’ve been to the well. He’s fighting someone who is willing to die in there – who wants to give it everything to be victorious.”Joshua vs Dubois fight predictions THIS weekend Wembley will witness one of the biggest all-British fights of all-time.But who will emerge victorious under the famous arch? Some of the biggest names in boxing have been having their say…Oleksandr Usyk: “My favourite is Anthony Joshua but I am very bad at predictions. But I will predict Anthony Joshua.”Dillian Whyte: “I just think that it’s one of those fights where it is a genuine 50/50 fight in my opinion.”Joe Joyce: “I was initially edging with Joshua but I don’t know, Dubois is coming on.”Frazer Clarke: “As heavy-handed as Dubois is and as good a fighter as he’s becoming, I still have to go for Joshua.”Francis Ngannou: “Even though Joshua lost against Usyk twice and Dubois fought Usyk and almost knocked him down and almost won, I would still give this to Joshua.”Click here for more fight predictions for Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois More

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Daniel Dubois clash for the IBF heavyweight world title and British bragging rights. AJ is in a bid to become three-time champion while Dubois make the first defence of his belt on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium. Anthony Joshua facing off with Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyIt is a battle of two huge punchers at different stages of their careers.And like usually is the case for a huge fights, opinions are divided as SunSport gives you the thoughts of the boxing public. Joe JoyceThe 2016 Olympian has shared the ring with both men during sparring at Team GB’s Sheffield HQ while beating Dubois in 2020.And Joyce told Queensberry Promotions and said: “I was initially edging with Joshua but I don’t know, Dubois is coming on.”READ MORE IN BOXINGDubois lost to Joe Joyce in 2020Credit: The SunOleksandr UsykThe Ukrainian twice beat AJ and stopped Dubois in nine rounds – making him an expert judge. And Usyk told Boxing King Media: “My favourite is Anthony Joshua but I am very bad at predictions. But I will predict Anthony Joshua.”Oleksandr Usyk beat Dubois in 2023Credit: Richard Pelham / The SunFrancis Ngannou The ex-UFC champion was on the end of a vicious KO loss to Joshua in March, just five months after dropping but losing a decision to Tyson Fury. Ngannou said: “Even though Joshua lost against Usyk twice and Dubois fought Usyk and almost knocked him down and almost won, I would still give this to Joshua.”Most read in BoxingJoshua knocked out Francis Ngannou in two roundsCredit: ReutersViddal RileyCruiserweight prospect beat Dubois in the amateurs and later sparred him – but he is backing his manager AJ to get the job done. He said: “I believe AJ will win by knockout in five rounds. It’s going to be an explosive start but AJ is more refined with his technique. “He will land the clean punches and get Dubois out of there early.”Joshua with cruiserweight prospect Viddal RileyCredit: 258 MGTDillian Whyte Former world title challenges beat Joshua in the amateurs but lost the rematch in the pros in 2015. And he told talkSPORT: “AJ’s saying he’s the underdog and he’s got doubters, I don’t think no-one’s doubting him, I don’t think he’s the underdog. Dubois is saying the same.”I just think that it’s one of those fights where it is a genuine 50/50 fight in my opinion.” Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in their professional rematchCredit: AFPLennox Lewis Britain’s last undisputed heavyweight champ told talkSPORT: “(Joshua’s) been through bigger fights. Oleksandr Usyk twice.”The only thing is, Daniel Dubois was the only one, out of the two of them to put Oleksandr Usyk down on the floor.”Joshua with British boxing legend Lennox LewisCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdFrazer ClarkeOlympian sparred both – getting floored by Dubois – but still gives the edge to Joshua.Clarke said: “As heavy-handed as Dubois is and as good a fighter as he’s becoming, I still have to go for Joshua. “That’s through no favouritism but my professional opinion that the experiences of Joshua and the magnitude of the fight is something which is a lot more normal to AJ than it is to Dubois.”Anthony Joshua with Frazer Clarke and Daniel DuboisDorian DarchThe retired heavyweight faced both and told Sports Boom: “I think it’s got to be early to middle Joshua knockout, I reckonREAD MORE SUN STORIES“Because I don’t know if you watched Dubois’ last fight to Hrgovic, in all fairness, he took the shots, but you can’t take them shots against AJ. “He took around seven to eight right hands, and you just can’t physically take them off AJ.” Dorian Darch fought Joshua and DuboisCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has warned Daniel Dubois he is willing to die in the ring.The Watford warrior has dumped the cautious approach that saw him trying to avoid danger.Anthony Joshua ahead of his fight with Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyUnder trainer Ben Davison, AJ 2.0 is bullish, spiteful and ruthless.And he is once again ready to go to the darkest corners to become a three-time world heavyweight champion by defeating IBF king Dubois at Wembley on Saturday.Joshua insisted: “He’s fighting someone who is willing to die in there — who wants to give it everything to be victorious.“It takes more than being strong to be a champion and to be a complete fighter.READ MORE IN BOXING“It’s good, of course, but I truly believe from what I’ve studied, read and what great people who have come before me have said, it takes more than being a physical specimen.“It’s a good attribute but when you come across someone who is willing to take that from you, you’ve given them your best shot and they are able to take it, that’s when you figure out what it takes to be a champion.“That’s what I’ve done. I’ve been to the well.”Joshua risked everything in his first Wembley win, over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 — climbing off the deck in the fifth round and barely recovering until the eighth.Most read in BoxingJoshua vs Dubois predictions Oleksandr Usyk: “My favourite is Anthony Joshua but I am very bad at predictions. But I will predict Anthony Joshua.”Dillian Whyte: “I just think that it’s one of those fights where it is a genuine 50/50 fight in my opinion.”Joe Joyce: “I was initially edging with Joshua but I don’t know, Dubois is coming on.”Frazer Clarke: “As heavy-handed as Dubois is and as good a fighter as he’s becoming, I still have to go for Joshua.”Francis Ngannou: “Even though Joshua lost against Usyk twice and Dubois fought Usyk and almost knocked him down and almost won, I would still give this to Joshua.”READ MORE PREDICTIONS HERECASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the 2019 shock loss to Andy Ruiz, where he was dropped four times and lost his world crowns for the first time, led Joshua to a drastic change in fighting style and mindset.In the cautious rematch win over Mexican Ruiz, the prolonged stoppage of Kubrat Pulev, the painful points losses to Oleksandr Usyk and the two tedious rebuild wins, he boxed at range and avoided danger.Anthony Joshua reveals he swears by 12-word motto in brutal dig at Daniel Dubois before Wembley Stadium showdownBut since linking up with trainer Davison, the former Olympic king has made a bloody mess of Otto Wallin and destroyed Francis Ngannou, the MMA specialist who deserved a points decision against Tyson Fury four months earlier.It was Usyk who dethroned Joshua as world heavyweight champ for the second time in September 2021.Eleven months later, the Ukrainian genius had too much for AJ again — and the Englishman had a bizarre post-fight strop, throwing the championship belts to the floor and arguing with his team.Tearful Joshua, 34, later apologised for what he saw as letting down the nation.Filling Wembley, once again, with a record-breaking 96,000 fans paying to watch the all-English clash should feel like redemption.Dubois, 27, won the interim IBF belt by stopping Filip Hrgovic in June. The Londoner became full champ when Usyk vacated the crown.But Joshua joked that another nightmare evening could spark an even more fearsome tantrum that will take him tearing through the VIP seats and up into the Gods.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyHe joked: “If I f***ing lose I’ll get even worse . . . I’ll be up in the stadium tearing the place up!“The fans are there. Some want to see me there so I need to do a job.“It has been a blessing and I don’t take it for granted. I’ve given Dan the respect he deserves in terms of my preparation.”I’ve given the 96,000 fans the respect by preparing myself to compete and travelling around the world to find coaches and a home where I can improve.“I just need to do it on Saturday night now. I just want to make sure everyone who comes to support me leaves there feeling like ‘we did it’.”As usual there is some focus on accusations of Saudi Arabia using high-level sport to wash their reputation as a dictatorship.But Joshua, like most of the other working-class lads in the most brutal business of all, is more concerned with laundering dirty kit in the aftermath of his latest battle.He grinned: “You know what’s crazy, on Sunday morning you wake up and it’s the same. Your bills still come out of your account, you’ve got to do your washing.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I was in Saudi in the Airbnb, after the Francis Ngannou fight.“I was just there ironing and washing after the Ngannou fight. It’s mad. The only difference is that it hurts losing.”Joshua fumed after his rematch loss to Oleksandr UsykHe has built his way back to a world title fight against Daniel DuboisCredit: GETTY More