Daniel Dubois Responds to Anthony Joshua’s Demand for Respect Ahead of World Title Clash

Daniel Dubois Responds to Anthony Joshua’s Demand for Respect Ahead of World Title Clash

As the anticipation builds for the heavyweight world title fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua, set to take place at Wembley Stadium on September 21, tensions have flared between the two British heavyweights. Joshua, a former champion seeking to reclaim his titles and become a three-time world champion, has called on Dubois to show him some respect. However, Dubois has fired back, challenging Joshua’s demands and his perception of respect in the boxing world.

 

The rivalry between Dubois and Joshua reached a fever pitch last month during a face-off event where their confrontation nearly escalated into a physical altercation. During this encounter, Joshua expressed his frustration with Dubois, suggesting that the younger fighter should exhibit more respect towards him. Joshua, who has previously held multiple heavyweight titles and is a well-known figure in the sport, seemed agitated by Dubois’s demeanor and verbal exchanges. He even threatened to strike Dubois with a chair in a show of his displeasure.

 

Dubois, however, was not intimidated by Joshua’s outburst. Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, Dubois dismissed Joshua’s demands for respect as irrelevant to the fight. “He was warning me, if you’re going to do something, just do it,” Dubois said. “It’s mind games and all of that trickery. I’m ready to fight, I’m sick of all these questions, I just want to get in the ring and fight.” Dubois seemed unfazed by the confrontation, indicating that such verbal exchanges hold no real significance for him.

 

Dubois also took issue with the notion that he is not a legitimate world champion because he did not win the title in the ring. Dubois was upgraded to full champion status after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt. Prior to this promotion, Dubois had secured the interim IBF title by defeating Filip Hrgovic in June, a victory Dubois considers as his path to world champion status. “I won that in the fight, that was a world title fight and I won it,” Dubois asserted. “I’m a legitimate champion, so put some respect on my name, bro, put some respect on my name, put some respect on my name, b****.”

 

In contrast, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has expressed confidence in Joshua’s preparation and mindset heading into the fight. Hearn observed that Joshua seems to be fully focused and free from the fear of losing that might have affected him in previous bouts. “The vibe I get is that the fear of losing is not really there anymore,” Hearn remarked. He attributed this shift to Joshua’s experiences with previous losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk, which have presumably hardened him and diminished his fear of defeat. According to Hearn, Joshua is embracing the challenge with enthusiasm rather than trepidation.

 

Hearn also emphasized that Joshua is having a great training camp under the guidance of trainer Ben Davison, suggesting that Joshua is in peak form and mentally prepared for the bout. Hearn pointed out that the pressure of the fight does not seem to weigh heavily on Joshua, as he is eager to take on all challengers, particularly one with a world championship attached.

 

However, Hearn acknowledged that Dubois poses a significant threat, noting that this fight represents a major test for the challenger. He indicated that although Dubois has faced top-tier competition, such as Usyk, fighting at Wembley in front of a large audience could present a new set of challenges. “It’s a dangerous fight and it will be really interesting to see if Dubois can handle the pressure,” Hearn said. “You need to have not just a big set of bollocks, but also a really strong mind to compose yourself in those moments. Whatever the game plan is, I think he’ll struggle to adopt it in there.”

 

As the fight date approaches, both fighters are gearing up for what promises to be a high-stakes and intense clash. Joshua’s quest to regain his former glory and Dubois’s determination to prove himself as a legitimate champion will set the stage for a memorable bout at Wembley. The buildup to the fight continues to captivate boxing fans, with both fighters making their final preparations for a showdown that is sure to capture the sport’s spotlight.