Anthony Joshua has the possibility to turn into a three-time heavyweight world champion on Saturday when Daniel Dubois places his IBF belt on the road at Wembley Stadium in London.
Dubois — who beat Filip Hrgović in June — was awarded the title after it was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk, who known as it his “current” to Dubois and Joshua forward of their combat.
The competition pits two fighters at completely different levels of their respective careers in opposition to one another, with the tantalising prospect of one other title bout in opposition to Usyk or Tyson Fury looming.
Key particulars:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21. Ring stroll set for 10:30 p.m. UK time.
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Titles: Daniel Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title
The undercard:
Tyler Denny vs. Hamzah Sheeraz for Denny’s European middleweight title
Anthony Cacace vs. Josh Warrington for Cacace’s IBO junior light-weight world title
Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson for the vacant IBF interim mild heavyweight title
Ishmael Davis vs. Josh Kelly, middleweight (non-title combat)
Mark Chamberlain vs. Josh Padley, light-weight (non-title combat)
The place can I watch the Joshua-Dubois combat card?
The combat might be out there to buy on Sky Sports activities, TNT and DAZN within the UK and on DAZN within the U.S. Ring stroll set for 10:30 p.m. UK time (5:30 p.m. ET).
ESPN can even have a dwell weblog on the night time.
What’s at stake?
In addition to Dubois’ IBF title, the winner will doubtless be in line to face both Fury or Usyk subsequent 12 months following their rematch on Dec. 21 in Riyadh.
Rumblings of a long-awaited conflict between Joshua and Fury have grown louder in latest weeks, however he might be centered on Dubois at first as a result of the loser will as soon as extra be pressured to claw their means again up the extremely aggressive heavyweight ranks.
Each Joshua and Dubois have already taken on the Ukrainian Usyk in title fights, with Joshua arising quick first at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021 after which in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in August 2022 — each occasions by way of snug factors selections.
Dubois gave Usyk arguably the biggest scare of his unblemished skilled profession of their combat in Wrocław, Poland, because the Englishman dropped his opponent within the Spherical 5 with what was controversially deemed to be a low blow, earlier than the champion recovered to win by knockout in Spherical 9.
Stats
Stats to comply with from ESPN’s Stats and Info Group.
Key questions:
How will Dubois deal with the massive event?
Joshua, 34, is vastly extra skilled than the 27-year-old Dubois, so the intense lights of Wembley might be an actual take a look at for the youthful man who should take care of being the centre of consideration in combat week earlier than he walks out in entrance of 96,000 followers at England’s nationwide stadium.
By comparability, arguably the most effective night time of Joshua’s profession got here at Wembley in 2017, when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko to turn into unified champion. Joshua has received all 4 of his fights on the stadium, three of which he is headlined, although the newest of these bouts got here in December 2020 in opposition to Kubrat Pulev.
How aggressive will Joshua be in opposition to a greater opponent?
Joshua made light work of Francis Ngannou in March, scoring a devastating knockout in Spherical 2 in Riyadh, even after many believed the previous UFC heavyweight champion might probably trigger him points having knocked down Tyson Fury in his earlier foray into the heavyweight-boxing world. That win adopted Joshua’s savage display against Otto Wallin in December.
On each of these events, Joshua let his palms go and his opponents merely could not deal with him. Dubois, who’s a giant hitter himself, might be a step up in school. So, will Joshua present extra warning? Or will or not it’s all weapons blazing from the opening bell?
Newest information:
Anthony Joshua the biggest British boxing star ever – Eddie Hearn
British boxing won’t ever produce a star as vivid as Anthony Joshua once more, in line with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.
Daniel Dubois vows to be ‘king slayer’ against Anthony Joshua
Dubois has been vocal in backing himself within the build-up to the combat, and has mentioned he could be the “king slayer” in opposition to Joshua.
Liam Gallagher to perform at Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will carry out as a part of the combat night time leisure, with rumours brother Noel might make additionally make an look forward of the band’s reunion in 2025.
Oleksandr Usyk vacating IBF title ahead of Joshua-Dubois bout
After changing into the primary undisputed heavyweight world champion in practically 25 years in Could, Usyk vacated his IBF belt in what he known as his “current” to Joshua and Dubois.
Is Dubois a genuine threat to Joshua?
Nick Parkinson takes a deeper take a look at Dubois, and the way a lot of a risk he may pose his opponent.
Kind information:
Joshua:
Win vs. Jermain Franklin (UD) April 1, 2023
Win vs. Robert Helenius (KO) Aug. 12, 2023
Win vs. Otto Wallin (TKO) Dec. 23, 2023
Win vs. Francis Ngannou (KO) March 8, 2024
Dubois:
Win vs. Kevin Lerena (KO) Dec. 3, 2022
Loss vs. Oleksandr Usyk (KO) Aug. 26, 2023
Win vs. Jarrell Miller (KO) Dec. 23, 2023
Win vs. Filip Hrgović (TKO) Jun. 1, 2024
