Boxing

THE UNDERCARD for Anthony Joshua’s domestic dust-up with Daniel Dubois has undergone ANOTHER major change just days before fight night.The stacked card for Saturday night’s Wembley war, which will be contested in front of 96,000 fans, suffered a major blow last weekend.Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will throw down at Wembley on Saturday nightCredit: GETTYLiam Smith was due to be on the undercard but withdrew from it last weekend due to illnessCredit: RICHARD PELHAMSmith was due to throw down with Sunderland slugger Josh KellyCredit: MATCHROOM BOXINGThe undefeated Ishmael Davis has stepped up on six days’ notice to face KellyThe card was rocked by Liam Smith’s virus-enforced withdrawal from his eagerly-anticipated clash with Josh Kelly.There were fears a replacement for the former WBO light-middleweight champion wouldn’t be found and Kelly wouldn’t fight.But a short-notice opponent has been found for the Sunderland slugger.The undefeated Ishmael Davis has been drafted in on six days’ notice to take part in what will be the biggest fight of his career.READ MORE ON AJ VS DUBOISDavis, however, hasn’t got off the couch to trade heavy leather with Kelly at the home of English football.’The Black Panther’ was already in a training camp for an IBF Intercontinental super-lightweight showdown with Uisma Lima on the undercard of Jack Catterall’s October clash with Regis Prograis.Recalling how he found out about Smith’s withdrawal, Kelly, 30, told The Stomping Ground: “[I found] literally through my team.”Adam [Booth] was like, ‘He’s pulled out.’ And I was like, ‘What?’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 Wembley”But things can’t be helped sometimes. If he’s genuinely sick, then he’s sick. So I can’t help that.”People are having different assumptions, but I just keep my mindset on what I’m doing, to be honest.”How Anthony Joshua has become ‘unbeatable’ in boxing career turnaround with insiders left stunned by heavyweight starKelly then said of Davis: “[He’s] a strong, sturdy guy. But he’s just not on my level.”He’s gonna come forward and put his hands up and try and work the body.”But I’m prepared for that with Liam, so it’s a perfect, perfect style.”An over-joyed Davis wrote on Instagram: “Change of plans, looks like we’re heading to Wembley! “I’m about to shock the world.”I want to thank @eddiehearn @franksmith @turkialalshik @matchroomboxing for this huge opportunity!READ MORE SUN STORIES”Also, I want to thank @leeeaton for making this happen. “Fighting with 6 days’ notice at middleweight, but you already know.”Full Dubois vs Joshua undercard Daniel Dubois vs Anthony JoshuaJosh Kelly vs Ishmael DavisTyler Denny vs Hamzah SheerazAnthony Cacace vs Josh WarringtonJoshua Buatsi vs Willy HutchinsonMark Chamberlain vs Josh Padley More

THE heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois has been simulated – and it ends with a brutal knockout.AJ and Dynamite are set to come face-to-face at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with the IBF world title on the line.Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois has been simulatedCredit: YouTube – Boxing Fight SimulationsThe fight ends with Dubois being knocked outCredit: YouTube – Boxing Fight SimulationsDubois currently holds the accolade having earned it back in June following a TKO win against Filip Hrgovic.He will be looking to retain his belt while Joshua bids to become a three-time heavyweight champion.AJ originally held the title in 2021 but lost it – as well as the WBA and WBO belts – to Oleksandr Usyk.He is now eager to get it back – and set up a potential clash with the winner of Usyk vs Tyson Fury II.Read More in BoxingWith Saturday’s bout fast approaching, the main event has been simulated to see who might reign victorious.In the simulated bout by Boxing Fight Simulations on Fight Night Champion, Dubois gets off to a strong start by landing some punches on his opponent.However, Joshua bounces back in the second and third rounds with some powerful body shots.Dynamite then sends him tumbling to the floor with three successive punches to the stomach.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut the Watford-born ace returns to his feet and turns the tables.AJ leaves Dubois on the canvas with a hit to the face in the fourth round, but Dynamite is able to get back up.Watch incredible Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois promo video directed by Guy Ritchie as fans call it ‘one for the ages’He is eventually floored again and knocked out in the eighth round following a brutal left hook, handing Joshua his third world title.Of course, the outcome of the actual fight could be very different.But many fans consider AJ the favourite going into the event.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley More

ANTHONY JOSHUA will be in “serious trouble” against Daniel Dubois, according to Carl Froch.The former super-middleweight world champion anticipates a big test for AJ at Wembley on Saturday.Carl Froch believes Daniel Dubois will cause Anthony Joshua problemsCredit: GettyFroch claims Dubois’ style could give him a big advantageCredit: Steve BellFroch believes Dubois is a genuine world champion after taking over the IBF belt vacated by Oleksandr Usyk in June.And like Usyk, Froch has tipped Dubois to take the fight to Joshua and get right in his face.Dubois will be a different proposition for Joshua than his previous four fights according to Froch, who also pointed out Dubois’ better form having beaten Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic since he also lost to Usyk.Froch said on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips: “Dubois is a good fighter, this is the biggest moment of his career. He’s a big, strong heavyweight and can punch hard. He’s actually in better form than AJ.READ MORE IN BOXING“I think AJ’s head’s not in the right space where he’s confident to go back in against a genuine world champion. I think if Dubois gets in the ring and puts it on him, you might see AJ in some serious trouble.“No one’s done that to him since Usyk. Usyk played with him twice, beat him up twice. So what’s AJ done since then? He’s fought four nobodies who didn’t try and only came to get a paycheck.”However Froch did still tip Joshua to win the contest because of his greater experience, but sent a big warning about what could happen if he loses.He added: “I think if he beats AJ it’s the end of AJ. That’s AJ finished.” 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 WembleyThe pair have sparred before, in 2016 when Dubois was just 18-years-old, with Joshua admitting his upcoming opponent landed a big shot on him.However Joshua has revealed he is now a different fighter – one that aims to flatline his opponents.Daniel Dubois ‘turned Anthony Joshua’s legs to jelly’ during brutal sparring session, says ex-Team GB boxing starHe said: “It’s crazy. I don’t even put much into the punches. But they’re devastating.”But the difference is. now, I want to flatline people if I can.”How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA must fight Tyson Fury by the end of 2025.That’s the deadline set by AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn.Anthony Joshua should fight Tyson Fury by the end of next yearAJ’s defeats in recent years made his prospect of fighting Fury weakenEddie Hearn will do everything in his power to get the bout doneA super-fight between two generational stars of British boxing has been rumoured for several years but talks always stalled.Joshua, 34, will challenge fellow Brit Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight belt at Wembley on Saturday.Meanwhile, Fury, 36, will take on Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the other three recognised world titles, to a rematch in December.Hearn told the BBC: “I do think AJ-Fury will happen regardless of whether Fury wins or not.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”But the size of the fight depends on their next two results.”In June, Joshua urged Fury to fight him while both boxers are still “fresh” but said he will not “sit around and wait” for the Gypsy King.Asked whether there is a deadline of next year, Matchroom’s Hearn replied: “Yes, definitely.”If AJ beats Dubois and Fury beats Usyk, you’ve got the biggest fight in the history of the sport ever. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”If one loses and the other wins, it’s still a monster fight.”Joshua has his eyes firmly set on climbing back to the top of the boxing world this weekend.How Anthony Joshua has become ‘unbeatable’ in boxing career turnaround with insiders left stunned by heavyweight starANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyIf he beats Dubois he will emulate greats Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko and Evander Holyfield by becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion.The pair had to be separated when the promotion got under way with Frank Warren finding himself between the two giants as security guards held them back during a head-to-head interview.Dubois currently holds the IBF belt which Usyk relinquished in June, ending his reign as the first undisputed heavyweight champion for a quarter of a century after barely a month.Usyk was forced to vacate the belt in order to honour the contracted rematch with Fury, who suffered his first career defeat to the unbeaten Ukrainian in May.Joshua won his first world title in April 2016 with a second-round knockout win over Charles Martin.After losing his unified titles to Andy Ruiz Jr in January 2019, he won the belts back from the Mexican boxer six months later.But the Watford fighter then suffered back-to-back losses to Usyk to leave his career on the knife edge. More

ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed how he loves to pick Cristiano Ronaldo’s brains at boxing events.The British boxer sat next to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner during Oleksandr Usyk’s fight with Tyson Fury in May.Anthony Joshua sat with Cristiano Ronaldo during Tyson Fury’s defeat to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GettyHe admitted he likes to learn from the footballerUsyk won the crown to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.AJ, 34, however spent the night learning from the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star.He has insisted that he does not get “caught up” by the celebrities at boxing events.He admitted that he instead likes to learn from Ronaldo and tries not to miss out on the chance to speak to him.READ MORE ON BOXINGAJ believes that he could have paid “thousands of pounds” for a consolation with people with the calibre of the Portuguese star.He said: “I’ve never been a person who is caught up in the superstar thing.”I just look at the character of people.”When I learn about their character, I take it back to my community.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Rather than just be in awe of these people, who everybody admires, I try to tap into their minds and psyches and learn how they got to where they are.”These people could charge thousands of pounds for meetings — imagine how much a Cristiano Ronaldo consultation would cost.How Anthony Joshua has become ‘unbeatable’ in boxing career turnaround with insiders left stunned by heavyweight star”So when I’m ringside with him, I use the chance to pick his brain.”AJ has also spoke about his potential spring showdown with Tyson Fury.He claimed: “I’m more of a short-term dreamer.”I approach every week thinking, ‘What can I achieve this week?’.”So I’m not looking for undisputed. I’m looking at this week, then the next.”AJ’s next fight is on Saturday as he takes on Daniel Dubois in an all-British bout at Wembley.AJ has been in fine form of late, winning his last four fights since suffering back-to-back defeats to Usyk.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley More