Anthony Joshua could leave Daniel Dubois needing a pillow just as he did Francis Ngannou, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, who hit back at comments from Frank Warren over his fighter’s recent resume.

Anthony Joshua’s upcoming fight against Daniel Dubois is generating significant excitement and discussion, particularly given the contrasting opinions from various promoters regarding the fighters’ recent performances and potential outcomes. The bout, set to headline at Wembley Stadium on September 21 and broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office, has prompted heated debate within the boxing community.

 

Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has been vocal in defending his fighter’s recent resume and capabilities. This comes in response to comments made by Frank Warren, who has questioned the quality of Joshua’s recent opponents when compared to those faced by his fighter, Dubois. Warren’s remarks have added fuel to the fire, but Hearn has been quick to counter these criticisms with strong arguments about Joshua’s current form and power.

 

Hearn acknowledged that Warren has valid points about Joshua’s recent opponents but defended Joshua’s performances. For instance, Hearn highlighted Joshua’s win over Otto Wallin as an underrated achievement. Wallin had recently defeated Murat Gassiev and had given Tyson Fury a challenging fight, which makes Joshua’s victory over him notable in Hearn’s eyes.

 

The conversation then shifted to Joshua’s performance against Francis Ngannou. Despite some attempts to downplay Ngannou’s capabilities, Hearn emphasized Ngannou’s impressive performance against Fury, arguing that many observers believe Ngannou deserved to win that fight. According to Hearn, Joshua’s dominance over Ngannou was so comprehensive that it left Ngannou needing a pillow—a metaphor for how thoroughly Joshua outclassed him.

 

Hearn then warned that Dubois could suffer a similar fate if he makes any errors in the ring. Joshua’s power, he asserted, is such that any opponent who gets hit cleanly by him is at risk of going to sleep. Hearn suggested that if Dubois fights aggressively, as he did against Filip Hrgovic, it could lead to an explosive and potentially dangerous match-up. He implied that one mistake from Dubois could result in a knockout, mirroring what happened to Ngannou.

 

On the other hand, Warren has made bold claims about Dubois’s potential, suggesting that a decisive victory over Joshua could end Joshua’s career. Hearn dismissed this notion, instead asserting that Joshua is currently the best heavyweight boxer in the world. He criticized the recurring narrative that Joshua’s career could be over if he loses another match. This narrative has persisted since Joshua’s rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr., where he rebounded from a loss to reclaim his titles, only to face defeat again against Oleksandr Usyk. Despite these setbacks, Joshua has managed to come back stronger, and Hearn believes that Joshua is now in peak form.

 

Hearn emphasized that while boxing always carries the risk of a single punch changing the outcome, Joshua’s recent performances and his current training have positioned him as a formidable competitor. He lauded Joshua’s current preparation under trainer Ben Davison, noting that the tactical approach and focus have been spot-on in recent fights. Hearn expressed confidence that Joshua would handle this fight effectively, though he acknowledged the inherent dangers given both fighters’ power and speed.

 

The stakes for Joshua are high, as this fight represents an opportunity for him to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. This achievement is rare in the history of boxing and adds an emotional and significant dimension to the fight. Hearn underscored the importance of this bout for Joshua’s career and reiterated the excitement and danger that the fight holds, given the skills and power of both competitors.

 

In conclusion, the upcoming clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois is shaping up to be a highly anticipated and potentially career-defining event. With contrasting views from promoters and the high stakes involved, boxing fans are eagerly awaiting the showdown, which promises to deliver high drama and potentially significant implications for the heavyweight division.