Anthony Joshua is hoping to become boxing’s fifth three-time heavyweight champion when he challenges for Daniel Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title in what will be a third all-British battle for the heavyweight throne in as many years. As the clocks tick down to the standout date in the British boxing calendar, the trainer of another conqueror from Old Blighty has offered his prediction.
David Haye became just the second fighter to become world champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight when he outboxed the gigantic Nikolai Valuev for the WBA crown in Germany back in 2009, cementing his position as one of Great Britain’s greatest ever fighters.
Although, since ‘The Hayemaker’ hung up the gloves, it has been Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua that have captured the attention of the United Kingdom, representing the country on the big stage and more than holding their own, but both are left without a world title to their name after Oleksandr Usyk’s incredible run.
Now, ‘AJ’ has the opportunity to return to the top table, but he will have to overcome an in-form Daniel Dubois if he is to do so, with both men beaming with confident ahead of what is sure to be an enthralling encounter.
Speaking with Boxing Social, the man who guided Haye to serial success, Adam Booth, offered his verdict on the upcoming domestic dust-up, outlining one key ‘ingredient’ that could help Dubois spring a surprise upset and retain his belt.
“It is an interesting one because AJ is the proven world level campaigner, Dubois is the young fighter on the up, in his last two performances he has really impressed. I think that Don Charles [Dubois’ trainer] is an interesting ingredient in this because I know that Don Charles and AJ know each other really well from back in the day.
“I think that AJ must be the favourite because you can only make your assessment on the body of work that they have done but it is heavyweight boxing and when you have got a young, powerful, determined challenger, who’s confidence is growing – that is a challenge for any heavyweight at world level.
“I don’t think that it lasts long, whoever wins, I think they will win inside the distance. I think that it is potentially a more intriguing fight, a lot of it depends on how Dubois goes about his job and whether he has scrubbed out the little mistakes that you could see being taken advantage of but it is a great match-up.”
Joshua-Dubois will take place at Wembley Stadium on September 21st, where it is expected that the post-war record attendance for a boxing event on British soil will be broken, as Turki Al-Alshikh aims to leave his mark on the world of boxing by extending the capacity to a mammoth 96,000.
On the undercard, fans are set to witness a plethora of British talent, as Josh Warrington challenges for world honours once again and Liam Smith takes on Josh Kelly in an intriguing crossroads affair.
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