Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA and Daniel Dubois had an awkward exchange in the press conference ahead of their world title fight. Joshua challenges for Dubois’ IBF belt on Saturday in what is set to be a British-record 96,000 sellout at Wembley. Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois had an awkward exchange in the press conferenceCredit: X @matchroom boxingDubois interrupted Joshua during an answerCredit: X @matchroom boxingThe two went back and forth at the press conference just 48 hours before they are due to share the ring. And both were probed on their heated clash two months ago when AJ threatened to wrap a chair around Dubois’ face. Joshua, 34, explained: “He said, ‘Let’s go now.’ I clicked for a minute, I said, ‘What does he mean by that?’ “And then he repeated it again. And I just feel like anyone in here…” READ MORE IN BOXINGDubois, 27, interrupted and said: “It’s boxing. This is what happens this is boxing. These things happen so we’re fighting Saturday. Let’s go.” Joshua, drawing a laugh from the crowd, continued: “So as I was saying. “At the press conference you should never let anyone take an inch because they’ll end up taking a mile. Know what I mean, Dan?” A confused Dubois replied: “Sorry?” 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 OFFERSAgain those in attendance burst out laughing with fans online similarly loving the awkward chatter. One said: “Sorry? Dubois is a funny man.”Elder statesman Anthony Joshua opens up on Daniel Dubois sparring session at press conferenceAnother added: “Gotta love Dubois.”Further tension was caused when the infamous sparring session between the pair was brought up. AJ has been forced to deny he was floored by Dubois many years ago but conceded he was shaken by a left hook. Joshua said: “He cracked me with a great shot and it’s my chance to get him back on Saturday. “I’m looking forward to it. We sparred hundreds of rounds, innit?” Dubois said: “It’s sparring. Now we’re fighting, it’s different. Move on now. We can move on now. Move on.” The defending champion has been without head trainer Don Charles, leading to rumours they have sensationally split just days before the bout. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Dubois and his camp insist Charles is actually ill with the flu and is expected to be in the corner come fight night. Dubois said: “Everything’s good. As long as he’s in my corner on fight night. Everything’s gone well, training camp’s gone brilliant. Let’s go.”ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley More

ANTHONY JOSHUA is on track to reach half a MILLION ticket sales ahead of his record-breaking next fight.AJ challenges for Daniel Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Anthony Joshua facing off with Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyAnd a never-before-seen 96,000 are set to pack out the national football stadium to witness the Battle of Britain. It means the record set by Tyson Fury in 2022 – when 94,000 watched his knock out of Dillian Whyte – is set to be smashed. Joshua first won the heavyweight title in 2016 after knocking out Charles Martin. He then had two defences before attempting to add the WBA strap in a unification with Wladimir Klitschko. READ MORE IN BOXINGIt marked AJ’s first fight in a stadium as 90,000 watched him triumph in round 11 following a classic with Klitschko. From there, he faced Carlos Takam in another defence before beating Joseph Parker for the WBO belt.Both were at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium as 78,000 came out on each occasion. Joshua returned to Wembley in 2018 to KO Alexander Povetkin with 80,000 in the house. 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 OFFERSBut then his career went on the road, starting with a disastrous US debut. AJ was due to face American loudmouth Jarrell Miller until the Yank disgracefully failed a series of drug tests. Elder statesman Anthony Joshua opens up on Daniel Dubois sparring session at press conferenceIn stepped overweight outsider Andy Ruiz Jr to spring a sensational upset in seven rounds in New York. But Joshua won back the unified belts six months later in Saudi Arabia – his first fight in the Middle East. With the titles back around his waist, the Londoner found himself at Wembley again. But this time in front of a tiny crowd of 1,000 inside Wembley Arena amid the coronavirus pandemic. The select few watched Joshua KO Kubrat Pulev with a thunderous right hand. But following failed talks to fight Fury, a mandatory title defence was called against Oleksandr Usyk. A crowd of 66,000 filled Tottenham’s £1billion stadium but it was heartbreak for AJ.He was dominated over 12 rounds to surrender the straps once more.And unlike against Ruiz, he was unable to avenge the loss when he rematched Usyk in Saudi a year later. Joshua’s popularity and confidence looked to be at an all-time low as his run back to the top kicked off. For the first time since 2016, Joshua was back at the O2 Arena as he cruised past Jermaine Franklin. He then knocked out Robert Helenius four months later to light up the O2 again. Joshua was soon back in Riyadh twice more to stop Otto Wallin in six rounds and flatten ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in two. With four wins on the spin, there is hope Joshua, 34, is not only back to his best but maybe better than ever. And he clearly has the British public back in belief again after the record 96,000 crowd was announced. READ MORE SUN STORIESIt means Joshua has shifted 488,000 tickets in his superstar career. And he now has the chance to join an elite heavyweight club with Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield as three-time champ. 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

LENNOX LEWIS wishes he could have mentored Anthony Joshua out of his wilderness years — but will welcome him into his three-time-champ-club.The pair have been at loggerheads for most of the 34-year-old’s pro career, with AJ insulted by some of the 59-year-old’s educated criticisms and once labelling Lewis a “clown”.Lennox Lewis wishes he mentored Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyJoshua can win back a world title against Daniel Dubois on SaturdayCredit: GettyThe pair have clashed down the yearsCredit: GettyAfter a shock 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz, AJ started adding unproven coaches to his proven squad, in an impossible effort to rebuild his style in the winter of his career.When Team GB mastermind Rob McCracken was axed, after the 2021 first loss to Oleksandr Usyk, a major figure was needed to replace the man AJ labelled ‘The General’ and his very own Alex Ferguson.Lewis — another London-born Olympic winner and three-time world champion — might have been the perfect candidate but previous squabbles kiboshed that call coming.Instead yes-men and pad-men let the 18st KO machine waste his prime years trying to become a silky stylist overnight, until Ben Davison got AJ back to his best last year.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBritain’s last undisputed heavyweight king told SunSport: “I would have nipped that in the bud, absolutely.“But there are a lot of complex parts to that. People do things their way and the way they know how to.“The problem with a lot of the boxers is they are doing it for the first time, their managers and people around them are doing it for the first time. So they don’t try to get information from people that have done it. That, to me, is a waste of time.“A lot of boxers waste a lot of time and are loyal to the people who helped get them up.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJoshua 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“But those people can only take them so far, then you have to go to the people who have been there, know the business, know how to run the business and know all the tricks that may come up. Then you are on a different level.”Lewis is selective about his media appearances, his time is valuable and he chooses his words wisely.AJ on the moment things got heated in face to face He seems to suggest Joshua’s skin may have been a bit too thin around the time Lewis was asked to discuss his failure to fight Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury — and crown a four-belt king before Usyk swooped in.And this whole sorry stand-off could have been straightened out with a quick phone call.He explained with the precision of his old jab: “Sometimes I am concerned that, when I am saying something, it comes out correctly.“In the past I have said stuff that has just been taken wrong.A lot of boxers waste a lot of time and are loyal to the people who helped get them up.Lennox Lewis“But I am a positive person and I don’t like putting people down, so for them to take it the wrong way, without speaking to me about it, is a problem.” If Lennox was anti-AJ, now would be the perfect time for him to unload.Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF belt against Joshua in an all-British heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium. And victory tomorrow against underdog Dubois would elevate Joshua into one of the greatest pantheons in sport.AJ previously held the WBA, IBF and WBO straps from March 2018 to July 2019 and reclaimed the belts later that year from Ruiz.Only Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lewis have ruled the blue-riband division three times and their standings in the sport are unquestionable around the planet.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at WembleyJoshua — with a peak Wilder and Fury still missing from his resume and back-to-back Usyk defeats — could be considered fortunate to make the trio a quartet.But because of his London 2012 Olympic win, his faultless conduct, the KOs, the comebacks, the way he carried the sport in this country means Lewis will gladly budge up and make room for his old verbal sparring partner.“Absolutely,” Lewis said when asked if AJ has the credentials to join some of boxing history’s greatest. “To me, it’s just common sense.“If a job is going to hire a graduate, are they going to hire them without checking the grades?READ MORE SUN STORIES“And in boxing people should also check the background achievements and how they got there.”* Watch Riyadh Season Card: Joshua v Dubois, live on TNT Sports Box Office from 4pm tomorrow. Find out more at tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice More

DANIEL DUBOIS’ team have been rocked by a pay dispute ahead of tomorrow’s massive fight with Anthony Joshua.Trainer Don Charles missed all this week’s promotional events for Wembley’s IBF heavyweight title showdown in front of 96,000 fans.Daniel Dubois’ trainer Don Charles is sick with flu ahead of this Saturday’s fightCredit: GettyAnthony Joshua and Dubois faced-off on Thursday, with Charles absentCredit: ReutersPromoter Frank Warren has confirmed the cash crisis – but insists Charles was absent from last night’s press conference due to illness.Asked about claims of a huge bust-up between Dubois’ father Stan and trainer Charles, Warren said: “I know there is a situation between them, which was over money.”But that is not my business that’s their business. I spoke to Don, Stan and Daniel.”Don is ill with the flu and in bed. He wanted to come to the weigh-in and I told him not to and to leave it until Saturday.READ MORE ON BOXING”If Daniel caught it on Saturday, the symptoms won’t hit him until the following day.”IBF king Dubois, 27, said: “As long as he is in my corner on fight night, I will be fine. Everything is good.”And turning his attention to Joshua, 34, he added: “I need to take him back to that dark place and make him uncomfortable in there, make him break down in the ring. “He’s ripe for the taking now. I’m on the rise, I’ve got the momentum on my side. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”No more words, just fighting, punches. I’m ready to fight and destroy.”Joshua is a heavy favourite to claim his fifth win in as many appearances at Wembley to become a three-time heavyweight champion.Daniel Dubois ‘turned Anthony Joshua’s legs to jelly’ during brutal sparring session, says ex-Team GB boxing starJoshua 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 DuboisAJ said: “The accolades come later. “I’ll be back home on Sunday eating the same breakfast, putting laundry in the basket and going to the same local gym.ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley”I’m a competitive person and I’ve got competition to deal with on Saturday. I could win in a variety of ways. I’m not depending on punch power.”It takes a lot more than that to be a great fighter. I have the fighter spirit and I’ll break him down.” More

DAVID HAYE has not ruled out a boxing comeback over half a decade on from his last fight. The former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion suffered consecutive defeats to Tony Bellew before retiring. David Haye has not ruled out a boxing comebackCredit: Richard Pelham – The SunHaye suffered a horror ankle injury in the first fight in 2017 but was knocked out in the rematch a year later. The British legend did return in 2021 for an exhibition bout against his friend and former boxer Joe Fournier. Now Haye is refusing to rule out a comeback for real – so long as his infamously brittle body stands up to it. He told on William Hill’s Up Front with Simon Jordan: “It’s not fully closed. READ MORE IN BOXING”If I can get my lower legs to do what I know they can do, which they weren’t able to do for probably since 2016.”If my lower legs can do things I need them to do, I could beat a lot of the guys out there now in the heavyweight division.”Haye called out Tyson Fury, 36, after his glorified sparring session with businessman-turned-boxer Fournier. But now the TV boxing pundit admits he has not got a full 12 rounds in his locker. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHaye said: “I’m not so stupid to think after all these years I can just jump in against Anthony Joshua or any of those guys, I’d get squashed.”But if I can go through training camps – I’m being 100 per cent serious – if I could and this is a hypothetical. How David Haye is becoming sports biggest ‘heart breaker’ despite ‘rota for throuple hotties’ – & why women fall for him”If I could go through training camps, I couldn’t do a 12-round fight camp physically impossible right now my body would just break down. “But I could do a camp for a six-rounder or an eight-rounder for a certain type of opponent.”Haye has taken up punditry and commentary jobs since hanging up his gloves. While his personal life has also hit the headlines for his various throuple relationships with girlfriend Sian Osbourne. Model Sian Osbourne with HayeCredit: PAThe couple’s throuple relationships hit the headlinesCredit: Instagram @davidhayeHaye and Sian with a group of friends More

ANTHONY JOSHUA heads into his heavyweight title fight against Daniel Dubois as the favourite among fans and bookies. But his potential demise could be hiding in the numbers. Anthony Joshua was first beaten in 2019 by Andy Ruiz JrCredit: AP:Associated PressJoshua twice lost to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYAJ has only ever lost three times, starting with a 2019 upset to Andy Ruiz Jr which he avenged six months later. But after losing to Oleskandr Usyk in 2021, he later failed to win back the unified titles in the rematch a year on. All three defeats followed a similar pattern, with Joshua’s downfall starting near round four. According to stats provided by Compubox, Joshua lands an average of just over 11 punches in round four when he wins – but only six in defeat.READ MORE IN BOXINGHis punch accuracy also dips after the third round whenever he has lost but in victory it is never lower than 30 per cent from the second to 11th.AJ was outpunched 31-23 by Ruiz from the fourth round to the seventh – when he was stopped following FOUR knockdowns. But things looked good after three rounds, having floored Ruiz himself and sharing 25-24 in punches landed. In his first points loss to Usyk, over 12 rounds Joshua had 19.2 per cent punch accuracy, compared to the Ukrainian’s 28 per cent. 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 OFFERSDubois has also suffered defeat to Usyk, losing in round nine which came three years before a 10th-round stoppage to Joe Joyce. He defends his IBF belt – for the first time – but even as champion he is considered the underdog. Daniel Dubois enters the ring for the media workout But, if the stats are to be believed the fight could be decided less than half way into the all-British showdown. Dubois, 27, comes into the bout off the back of two big wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. Meanwhile Joshua, 34, is on a run of four wins since failing to win back the titles from Usyk, 37, in August 2022. Much has been made of AJ’s newfound form – a throwback to his ruthless prime – as Joshua insisted he has never been better. He said: “I feel better now. I feel better for sure. More seasoned, hardened. A lot more development. “Not so much dependent on one or two things in the ring. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve. “Been the 12 rounds. My punching power has improved. Defence has improved, yeah I feel good, much better than I used to.”Joshua facing off alongside Daniel DuboisCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing More