Anthony Joshua looks to become a three-time world heavyweight champion this weekend when he faces newly-elevated Daniel Dubois.
Dubois is now IBF Champion after Oleksandr Usyk, who has beaten both men, vacated the belt ahead of his rematch with Tyson Fury later this year.
‘AJ’ initially lost the IBF, along with the WBA and WBO, to Usyk back in 2021. He failed to win them back in the immediate rematch but has since won four out of four fights with increasingly impressive performances.
In his first stint as world champ, Joshua had defended the IBF strap against one Wladimir Klitschko. The Ukrainian brought the WBA belt to the table. Both men were knocked down in a thrilling was of attrition with the Brit coming out the winner via stoppage in the eleventh. Wladimir’s brother, Vitali, was in his corner that night, witnessing Joshua up close.
He has now spoken to Sky Sports on the Dubois bout, backing Joshua to get the victory.
“Sometimes a step back [the Usyk losses] means you can take two or three steps forward and I hope Joshua learned a lot and will be well motivated in the next fight … I keep my fingers crossed for Joshua. Good man. Good heart. Good sportsman and has good skills.”
‘AJ’ will enter the ring a favourite to take the belt from Dubois, but the 27-year-old is adamant he can force a changing of the guard and become the top British heavyweight alongside Fury. The winner of the fight is well placed to face either him or Usyk, depending how their fight plays out.
Vitali is the Mayor of Kyiv and has been helping coordinate the resistance to Russia’s invasion since 2022.
