Anthony Joshua denies rumor of being KO'd by Daniel Dubois in sparring: "Just cracked me with a good shot"
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois are scheduled to clash for the IBF heavyweight world title on 21 September. The fight will see two former sparring partners go to war in the squared circle in an all-British classic.
With Oleksandr Usyk having vacated the IBF title, Dubois will be hungry to get his hands on his first championship belt, having secured the interim title in June. 'AJ' is eager to become a world champion for a third time in his career, the fifth heavyweight boxer to do so.
Rumors have swirled in the boxing world that Dubois knocked Joshua out during a sparring session years ago, with the interim IBF champion's promoter, Frank Warren, making the following claim in 2023 before Dubois' fight with Usyk:
"They sparred, didn't they, and [Dubois] knocked [Joshua] over."
Click here to watch the video.
After the IBF world title fight was officially announced, 'AJ' was interviewed by Sky Sports, where he was asked about the infamous sparring session. The Watford warrior denied claims that he was knocked out, saying this:
"We would spar, sometimes I would see him in the training set-up as well, that was it really... Good spars, and this whole conversation you're trying to get - he just cracked me with a good shot. But I stood on my feet, I don't know where this whole narrative of, 'Someone turned my lights off,' came from."
Watch Anthony Joshua's interview below (1:45):
Anthony Joshua's trainer shares prediction for his clash with Daniel Dubois
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will compete for the IBF heavyweight world title later this year, and both men are confident of their chances of victory ahead of fight night.
Having secured three stoppage victories in a row, 'AJ' will enter his latest title fight in fine form. His opponent, however, is also known for his show-stopping power, and has won his last two fights via KO.
With both men gifted with the ability to close the show with one punch, Joshua's trainer, Ben Davison, recently shared a definitive prediction for the IBF title fight. During a recent interview with iFL TV, he said this:
"He can punch hard, but they can all punch hard... I wouldn't be shocked if 'AJ' knocked him out quite early. I wouldn't be shocked. That's no disrespect to Daniel, I think he's a good fighter."
Watch Anthony Joshua's trainer predict his fight with Daniel Dubois below (1:35):