Anthony Joshua addresses Daniel Dubois allegedly hurting him in sparring, jokes about Anthony Fowler's take: "He's trying to promote his CBD, innit?"
Anthony Joshua has taken a jibe at Anthony Fowler in the wake of the latter's remarks regarding Joshua's alleged sparring incident with Daniel Dubois. 'AJ' suggested that Fowler was making polarizing comments as an attention-seeking tactic.
British sports icon Joshua is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion in the sport of professional boxing. Fowler also hails from Britain and is a former boxer, who had a respectable career in the amateur and paid ranks. 'The Machine' retired from pro boxing in June 2023.
Per a recent talkSPORT report, Fowler recounted the Joshua-Dubois sparring session that transpired eight years ago and noted that 'AJ' was on wobbly legs after getting hit. Fowler asserted that 'Dynamite' rocked Joshua so badly that he could've knocked him out if he chose to.
Speaking to iFL TV, Joshua recently was asked about Fowler's comments, to which he stated:
"Bro, I spar so many people in my life, I swear to you I can't even remember half of the people. But with Dubois, I remember he hit me with a good shot. It was a left hook. You know when you're kind of like ..."
Joshua seemingly mimicked getting caught by a good shot and continued:
"Just like a bit. You know what I mean?"
Additionally, in response to his compatriot and former boxer Anthony Fowler's remarks, 'AJ' jibed that Fowler was making such comments to draw attention to himself and his CBD brand.
Per The Guardian, the Fowler-founded 'Supreme CBD' was involved in an advertising debacle. The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) investigated ex-footballers John Hartson and Matt Le Tissier over promoting the company. The ASA reportedly found the ex-footballers violated UK advertising rules by presenting their promotional work as personal opinions rather than paid promotion.
Regardless, Fowler continues promoting the CBD brand. Well, Joshua, who'd shot down Fowler's claims previously as well, alluded to the same and said:
"Yeah. One of the coaches called me, and he was like, 'He's a snake. That was never like that.' He's trying to promote his CBD, innit?"
When asked if what Fowler said wasn't accurate, Anthony Joshua noted:
"I don't know. Why didn't he throw another punch?"
The boxing megastar also indicated that he's unsure about whether the Dubois sparring session is currently relevant, adding that it's irrelevant to him and he's focused on their upcoming fight.
Watch Anthony Joshua's assessment below:
Anthony Fowler responds to Anthony Joshua's comments ahead of Daniel Dubois fight
Anthony Joshua is scheduled to face sparring partner-turned-rival and reigning IBF heavyweight champion, fellow British pugilist Daniel Dubois. The Joshua-Dubois championship showdown headlines a boxing card at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on Sept. 21, 2024.
Its victor could possibly face the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch winner in an undisputed title matchup. For his part, Anthony Fowler predicted that the Joshua-Dubois fight could go either way.
Daniel Dubois' promoter, Queensberry Promotions' Frank Warren, previously highlighted that Dubois dropped Anthony Joshua at Sheffield's GB Performance Institute. Incidentally, the gym's home to Joshua's ex-trainer Rob McCracken.
Furthermore, Anthony Fowler signaled that he's long retired from boxing and the sparring ordeal means nothing to him now. Fowler tweeted that he was speaking the truth about what happened between Joshua and Dubois. He also seemed to take 'AJ's' CBD jab in stride.