New IBF Heavyweight World Champion Daniel Dubois is all set for his first defence against Anthony Joshua this coming Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
The bout presents ‘AJ’ with a chance to become just the sixth three-time titlist in the division in the history of the sport, joining the likes of Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. Attempting to stop him is underdog Dubois who, at 27-years-old, may well be the future of the division.
Both men pack a considerable punch with 45 knockouts between them and, intriguingly, in their handful of losses both have been stopped inside the distance.
With open workouts, press conferences and media obligations all now ticked off, ‘AJ’ and ‘DDD’ took to Trafalgar Square for their weigh-in.
Dubois, who was 245lbs in his most recent bout, shocked many, including the commentary team, when he tipped the scales at 248lbs, his career heaviest when many thought he was looking slimmed down during fight week.
Joshua, 252.4lbs last time out, was 252lbs.
With the ceremony of the weigh in all done and dusted, all that’s left is the small matter of an all-British heavyweight world title fight in front of a record 96,000 fans at the national stadium.
Tale of the Tape
Dubois has a recorded height of 6′ 5″ with a reach of 78″. His record stands at 21 wins, 20 knockouts, and two losses. ‘AJ’ tops him slightly at 6′ 6″ tall and a 82″ reach. A two-time champion, the 34-year-old has three losses from 31 fights with 25 of his 28 wins coming by stoppage.
Both men have bounced back in fine form since losses to Oleksandr Usyk – Dubois has solid wins against previously undefeated contenders Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic whilst Joshua has beaten Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.
