Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois could be set to star in an all-British battle this September at Wembley Stadium.
With the IBF belt potentially becoming vacant – although no request from the promoters of either man so far – Joshua could challenge the Interim Champion Dubois for a chance at becoming a three-time heavyweight champion.
Despite the difference in age with Dubois on the rise as Joshua enters the final chapter of his career, the pair have sparred on the Team GB circuit in the past.
A man who witnessed those sessions in the gym and took part himself is Frazer Clarke. The Olympic Bronze Medalist turned British title challenger told Boxing Social he makes ‘AJ’ a favourite but warned about ‘DDD’s power.
“It’s a really competitive, good fight. I still have AJ as favourite, but I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, if [Dubois] is not the heaviest puncher I’ve been in with, he’s probably in the top three or four. He can really whack.”
Clarke gives the edge to Joshua when it comes to the hardest hitter between the pair.
“It’s a different kind of punch. I think on a single shot, probably Joshua just cause it comes with a bit more speed. They come sharp, but Dubois is a real thud.”
Interestingly, it’s another Brit he reserves the top spot for – former British and Commonwealth titlist David Price.
“Both of them two are leaps and bounds away from David Price. F**k me. Jesus Christ. That was different gravy. And I was young at the time, probably 17, 18. That was an experience. I think he was taking it easy as well. In terms of one punch David Price… unbelievable power. Unbelievable.”
Price was an impressive amateur and the next big thing when he turned pro. Two stoppage losses to Tony Thompson in his sixteenth and seventeenth outings shifted the momentum massively on his career, and he wouldn’t quite reach the heights many first expected.
News on Joshua’s next fight will be announced at a press conference on June 26, with Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang also making their case for it alongside Dubois.
