Specialists, fighters and pundits have their say forward of the battle between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium.
Joshua returns to world-title motion in opposition to a British rival and one other hard-punching Londoner in Dubois.
Watch Joshua vs Dubois this Saturday September 21. The Sky Sports activities Field Workplace invoice with a stacked undercard begins at 4pm.
Oleksandr Usyk (unified champion):
“I think it’s AJ. I respect both of these guys, but I predict Anthony.
“It is good. IBF didn’t take my belt, I gave my belt for Anthony Joshua and Dubois.
“Because for me, it’s important that my sport boxing develops.”
Vitali Klitschko (former world champion):
“I preserve my fingers crossed for Joshua. Good man. Good coronary heart. Good sportsman and has good abilities.
“Yes of course, sometimes a step back means you can take two or three steps forward and I hope Joshua learned a lot and will be well motivated in the next fight.”
Joseph Parker (former world champion and Joshua opponent):
“I feel like it’s a very intriguing fight. It’s a very exciting fight and I feel like Joshua’s going to win.
“My coach George is backing Dubois. I really feel like Joshua has regarded very nicely and good in his fights the final two occasions.
“Dubois has as well but Dubois takes a lot of right hands and I feel like Joshua, with the power he possesses, is going to take it out in the first four or five rounds.
“Dubois must have good head motion and he wants to use strain from the start. I believe Joshua would not just like the strain.
“Joshua’s very tall, has a long reach and he’s very good at keeping distance. When I fought him I was very young, Joshua was as well, but I think if you do have a rematch in the future I could knock him out.
“I’ve placed on some weight and really feel like I’ve bought some good energy now.”
Chris Eubank Jr (Middleweight contender):
“I think Joshua outguns Dubois in most areas. But the exciting thing about heavyweight boxing is that one punch can change it all. One punch can end it all.
“So regardless that I do consider on a talent stage, on an IQ stage, on an expertise stage AJ has him outgunned, all that may change in a break up second with these large boys.
“They land a shot and that’s it, it doesn’t matter how many levels above you are, if you get hit on the chin you’re going to go down.”
Martin Bakole (WBA No 1):
“I think AJ. I think he’s got the mentality now to come back and take control. Daniel Dubois is young and good but doesn’t have a big heart.
“I’ve sparred each and I believe AJ will win.
“Don’t compare Joshua with Daniel Dubois. Joshua beat Klitschko. Joshua beat Alexander [Povetkin] and he went the distance in the two Usyk fights. Dubois never even went 10 rounds.
“Joshua’s bought extra coronary heart and extra method than Dubois. As quickly as he lands his again hand, left hook, Dubois will quit.”
Joe Joyce (Olympic medallist):
“Dubois can definitely hit, if he catches him with a shot, he’ll be going down, the same the other way. It’s all action.
“Joshua, particularly in that final battle with Ngannou when he completed him with that heavy knockdown. I nonetheless assume it is shut so let’s have a look at the way it goes.
“They’ve both had good wins but I’m marginally going with Joshua. But I think Dubois, if he hits him, he hits very hard. Either one of them [can win]. I think it’s a tough fight for both of them. I’m on the fence.”
Barry Hearn (promoter):
“I expect a very good Joshua. I don’t think he’s been better in his career than he’s fighting now. He’s got a new trainer.
“He appears to be punching significantly better by way of the goal. He is a massively highly effective man. I believe he is the largest puncher I’ve seen within the heavyweight division for years and years and years.
“But he fights also another big puncher. Daniel Dubois can hit and he’s young, he’s ambitious. So therefore he’s dangerous. But the Joshua I see in front of me today, wins by knockout.”
Frazer Clarke (Olympic medallist):
“I still have AJ as the favourite just on the occasion, that’s second to none for AJ. AJ at Wembley, it’s normal for him. You look at the resumes, the people AJ’s been in with and beat.
“However does Dubois have an opportunity? 100 per cent, whenever you hit like Daniel Dubois hits. Aside from David Worth, he is most likely subsequent in line of hardest that I’ve ever took a shot off, the strongest puncher.
“I think he can give a good account of himself and he’s going to go in expecting to win.”
Kevin Lerena (former Dubois opponent):
“Yes Dubois lost to Usyk but look what he has done to Miller and Hrgovic. He’s riding the crest of a wave, confidence is sky high and he’s a serious, serious heavyweight at the moment.
“He is very sturdy. He is bought plenty of energy behind his punches. It is no secret. Most guys which have sparred or fought him say the identical factor, echo the identical sentiments.
“I think that’s his biggest attribute. He’s a strong guy, he’s a strong puncher. But the man he’s in there with is just as strong. AJ’s phenomenal.
“It really makes for an ideal battle as a result of each guys are on the upward trajectory. I believe Daniel has fought the higher opponents within the final three or 4 fights when it comes to high quality. However having mentioned that, AJ’s achieved what he must do with the extent of opponent that is been in entrance of him. He is disposed of them.
“It’s a great fight. It’s a tough fight for both guys. Many people use this term loosely, they say he who wants it on the night the most will win. Well, this is what’s going to happen with this fight because they’re both strong, they both can punch and they both can’t afford to get clean shots on their chins against one another because it’s the heavyweight game and they both can crack.”
Fabio Wardley (British champion):
“It’s a fantastic fight, a massive UK dust up with two big British heavyweights for a world title, which is fantastic. Where it stands right now, I’m giving it to AJ.
“The shape he is again on or discovered himself in in the mean time, he is trying actually harmful and spiteful actually from how we have seen him earlier on in his profession. Actually boxing with intent. I believe he appears actually snug in his game-plan and the way in which he is boxing in the mean time and the way he and the workforce are placing it collectively and the way it is going to come off for him.
“So confidence is a lot and I think he’s the man with that at the moment.”
Shane McGuigan (High coach):
“I think it’s a fascinating fight. I think it’s going to be all AJ early on. If I had to bet and put my money on it, I would say AJ within four or five rounds.
“However Daniel’s final opponent was higher than AJ’s final three opponents ever since he misplaced to Usyk. Daniel misplaced to Usyk however he bought some success within the battle. He is rebuilt, he is beat Millar and he stopped Hrgovic – I do know it was on a minimize however he was swinging the battle in his favour. These are some large wins.
“His confidence was always something that was lacking, now he believes in himself. AJ in my opinion has to get him out of there reasonably early because Daniel’s a problem if the fight goes on. He really is because he can punch and he doesn’t have to try with his power.
“They each can punch and harm one another. I believe AJ’s going to be too fast on the counter, in order for you my trustworthy opinion, but when the battle goes previous 4 or 5 rounds Dan’s bought an enormous likelihood.”
Josh Warrington (former world champion):
“Both are big punchers. I’m leaning towards AJ. The reason being, he seems to have an air of confidence. He’s still got that demon look in his eye and he’s been here before.”
Liam Smith (former world champion):
“Confidence-wise and results-wise they are on great form. But I think it’s a style that’s probably suited for Joshua more than Dubois.”
Matt Christie (boxing journalist):
“Making a case for Daniel Dubois to beat Anthony Joshua is markedly easier now than it would have been 12 months ago. It’s certainly plausible that his power and strength win him this fight.
“Dubois is enhancing and rising in confidence nevertheless it’s nonetheless a stretch to go from beating Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic – neither of whom can boast a convincing victory over a prime contender – to toppling somebody of Joshua’s skill and expertise.
“Against both Miller and Hrgovic, Dubois wasn’t exactly hard to hit with right hands – and Joshua is particularly dangerous on that side. Out of the two, Joshua is the more versatile, rounded and, perhaps crucially, proven at the highest level.
“I am anticipating an thrilling contest and for Joshua, whereas showcasing his world class, to win by KO someplace across the midway mark.”
Mick Hennessy (boxing promoter):
“I see it as a tremendous fight. Both fighters in recent times have come on big under their training regimes. Daniel’s improvement since the Joe Joyce fight is incredible and I think Anthony’s the same.
“I believe Anthony’s come on lots for the reason that Usyk battle. So my intestine response is it is going to be extremely explosive. I would not be shocked if each fighters touched the canvas one or two occasions and I see Anthony Joshua popping out and profitable a really explosive encounter inside the gap.”
Adam Azim (Former European champion):
“It is a cracking battle, they’re each nice fighters. It is a 50/50 battle, I can not seem to decide who’s going to win. However it is going to be good. Do not write Daniel off as a result of he is bought one-punch energy and he can take anybody out.”
Ohara Davies (Tremendous-lightweight contender):
“It’s going to be a 12-round war. I see a draw. Daniel Dubois is younger, fresher and AJ’s been world champion, AJ’s won it and Daniel Dubois hasn’t.
“In a way you’ll be able to say that Daniel Dubois is extra hungry. However AJ’s bought a brand new workforce and he is bought an excellent coach and it seems like his thoughts is in the fitting place now and it seems like we’ll see the perfect of each of them and I do not know who’s going to win.”
Josh Kelly (Olympian):
“I am edging in direction of AJ. Dubois is harmful, he is bought huge quantities of energy. I simply assume stylistically AJ’s only a bit longer and he may get there earlier than Dubois, that is all.
“It can’t go the distance. That can’t go the distance. If Dubois can close distance, get off the line and land the right hand, start trying to break him down with the jab, it could change things up.
“I believe Joshua’s bought the peak and size benefit. That straight one-two and the left-hook backhand is quick and arduous.”
Hamzah Sheeraz (Middleweight contender):
“The closer I get to the fight I get more 50/50. I was set on AJ winning because of experience, because of the level he’s been at because of the amount of fighters he’s performed against.
“Saying that Dubois has roughly achieved the identical. He is fought for all of the unified titles in opposition to Usyk in his yard. He fought Hrgovic and he beat Hrgovic so it’s positively a 50/50 but when I needed to put my cash on it, I would put it on AJ.”
Tyler Denny (European champion):
“I believe if I needed to decide I would decide Joshua. I believe they’ve each bought the harmful energy to knock one another out, which is why it is so fascinating. If I needed to decide, I would decide AJ.”
Frank Ignatius (London heavyweight):
“Such a 50/50 battle – my thoughts retains tossing and turning. I see Dubois by mid-rounds stoppage. I simply really feel like Dubois has had the hardest fights as of just lately and I believe that can play an element when it comes to the night time and adversity and I believe each males are going to have some adversity due to the character of the fighters that they’re.
“But I think Dubois will be better prepared to come through his adversity as opposed to AJ in this current moment and I think that’s what will make an interesting fight.”
Johnny Fisher (Southern Space champion):
“AJ has to be careful but he doesn’t have to be too cautious and too much on the back foot because I think Dubois is open to a counter right hand himself and we’ve seen how good Joshua is with counter right hand.
“If I’m choosing a winner out of that battle, I might edge in direction of Joshua. Just a little bit extra calculated. Just a little bit extra understand how and nous in his sport and I believe that might tip in his favour. But when Dubois lands on his chin, that might convey again all of the reminiscences for Joshua.
“I think it will be a knockout. I think Dubois is going to bring the heat and put it on Joshua. That’s what he knows, that’s his way. He’s an aggressive fighter but he’s calculating in that aggression.
“If he is available in and he steps in an excessive amount of, Joshua’s going to counter him with the fitting hand, like he did with Ngannou, I do know Ngannou’s not on that stage however Joshua’s bought an excellent straight proper hand that is deadly. Charles Martin he is achieved it in opposition to, we have seen it many occasions. That is the hazard for Dubois.”
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Daniel Dubois takes place on Saturday September 21 live on Sky Sports Box Office. Ebook Joshua v Dubois now!