Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois are set to trade blows in a thrilling all-British bout for the IBF world heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
It’s a story of two fighters at contrasting stages of their respective careers. AJ, as he’s affectionately known, is on the hunt to regain his IBF title that has been vacated by his old foe Oleksandr Usyk, while interim belt holder Daniel Dubois is hoping to become a fully-fledged super heavyweight champion for the first time in his career.
Both men will be equally as hungry for victory, however. Joshua has worked tirelessly to climb back up to the top of the Blue Riband division since his successive losses to Usyk and is now just one step away from becoming a world champion again. But Dubois is on the cusp of taking his career to the next level, and a win over Joshua would be monumental for the 26-year-old.
AJ is the heavy favourite, though, with Anthony Joshua to win by KO/TKO in rounds 1-4 proving to be a popular market. However, all it takes is one punch from the powerful Dubois to potentially end Joshua’s glittering career.
So, here are four reasons why we think the 26-year-old could cause an upset.
1. Dubois’ explosive power
With 20 of his 21 wins coming by knockout, Dubois is renowned for his raw, unbridled power. His right hand is a weapon that has dispatched opponents with alarming regularity, and he’s proven that he can end a fight in the blink of an eye.
Joshua has tasted the canvas before, notably in his bout against Andy Ruiz Jr., and while he has since regained his composure with a string of wins, he remains vulnerable to heavy hitters.
Dubois’ ability to deliver a fight-ending punch at any moment makes him a dangerous adversary for Joshua. One well-timed shot could be all it takes to tilt the bout in Dubois’ favour.
2. Joshua’s vulnerability under pressure
While Joshua is a seasoned and decorated fighter, his performances in high-pressure situations have occasionally faltered.
The Ruiz Jr. loss and Usyk defeats exposed his susceptibility to crumbling under sustained pressure. Although he avenged the loss against the Mexican-American, doubts about his mental fortitude in the face of adversity remain after Usyk dispatched of him twice.
Dubois, on the other hand, is a young, hungry fighter with nothing to lose and everything to gain. He will be coming into this fight with the mindset of a challenger, ready to apply relentless pressure on Joshua. If he can unsettle Joshua early, it could create openings for Dubois to capitalise on and upset those who placed a boxing bet.
3. Youth and hunger
At 26, Dubois is eight years younger than Joshua and is at a stage in his career where he is desperate to prove himself on the biggest stage.
Youth brings with it a certain fearlessness and an insatiable hunger to succeed. Dubois knows that a win over Joshua would catapult him to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division and establish him as a major force in the sport.
This burning desire, combined with the physical advantages of youth—stamina, speed, and recovery—could give Dubois the edge he needs to outlast and outwork Joshua, especially in the later rounds.
4. The element of surprise
Joshua has faced a variety of opponents throughout his career, but Dubois presents a unique challenge due to his blend of size, power, and the unpredictability that comes with being a young heavyweight.
Dubois’ relative inexperience in a fight of magnitude could work in his favour, as Joshua might underestimate the extent of the challenge he presents.
Dubois hurt Usyk with a body punch that would have arguably seen him defeat the Ukrainian if it wasn’t controversially deemed a low blow by the referee.
That element of surprise could play a significant role in disrupting Joshua’s game plan, giving Dubois the opportunity to dictate the pace and direction of the fight.
