Boxing

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

DANIEL DUBOIS can do to Anthony Joshua what none of the former champ’s recent opponents have done to him, an ex-Brit world titleholder has claimed.The 27-year-old is just days away from defending his IBF heavyweight title against AJ in front of a sold-out crowd at Wembley.Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua on Saturday nightCredit: GETTYAJ is in red-hot form going into the eagerly-anticipated Wembley warCredit: GETTYEx-champ Carl Froch reckons Dubois can give AJ his toughest test since his losses to Oleksandr UsykCredit: GETTYFormer two-time unified champ Joshua enters the domestic dust-up on a four-fight win streak, winning his last three on the bounce via stoppage.But his stoppages of Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou have done little to convince former world champ Carl Froch, who insists the Watford warrior hasn’t been tested since his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.The former WBC super-middleweight champion told Snooker great Stephen Hendry: “What’s AJ done since then?”He’s fought three or four nobodies who didn’t try.READ MORE ON AJ VS DUBOIS”Four people have come to get a paycheque. And you can’t even say Ngannou is a good fighter.”I know Ngannou gave Fury a good fight, but Fury was ill-prepared for that. He must have been.”Froch reckons Joshua’s brutal demolition of former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou will have wrongfully inflated his confidence ahead of Saturday night’s domestic dust-up.The 47-year-old said: “AJ got in there and battered Ngannou.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”Hit him with the first right hand and Ngannou was out on his back. “But that gives you a false sense of security.”How Anthony Joshua has become ‘unbeatable’ in boxing career turnaround with insiders left stunned by heavyweight starDespite his criticisms, Froch believes Joshua is the favourite for Saturday night’s Wembley war.But he still believes the London 2012 gold medallist is there for the taking.’The Cobra’ said: “I think Dubois gets in with him and puts it on him.”If he believes in himself, Dubois, and sticks it on him, you might see AJ in some trouble.”Carl Froch reckons Anthony Joshua is there for the taking for Daniel DuboisCredit: GETTY More