Eddie Hearn reveals the one change in Anthony Joshua’s mindset he has never seen before ahead of Daniel Dubois clash
Anthony Joshua will have the chance to join an illustrious group as a three-time heavyweight champion when he faces Daniel Dubois for the IBF title on Sept. 21. The pair will headline a massive event at the sold-out Wembley Arena in London, with the seating capacity having been extended to 96,000 for the spectacle.
The all-British affair will pit one of the country's leading lights in the world of boxing, Joshua, against the man who could replace 'AJ' as the heavyweight poster boy from Britain, Dubois.
The last defeat suffered by both fighters came against Oleksandr Usyk, with Joshua having bounced back from his losses in 2021 and 2022 with four stellar performances, three of which came via stoppage.
'Dynamite' himself has secured two stoppage wins of his own since losing to 'The Cat' in 2023, with his latest victory being an interim IBF title win over Filip Hrgovic. Following Usyk's decision to vacate the IBF title, Dubois was promoted to full champion.
Ahead of Sept. 21, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has noted one major difference in his client's mindset ahead of fight night. He was recently interviewed by TNT Sports Boxing and said:
"This is the first time I've really noticed with 'AJ' [an] admittance of a desperation to win. Normally it's very calm, this time it's like, 'I have to win. I have to win this fight.' And he's never talked about the championships... This is the first time he's probably starting to think about the legacy."
Watch Hearn discuss Anthony Joshua below (3:25):
Anthony Joshua admits Daniel Dubois "cracked him" in sparring but rejects notion he was KO'd
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois are in the final stages of preparations for their highly anticipated clash on Sept. 21.
Ahead of the bout, there have been rumors swirling that Dubois put 'AJ' out cold during a sparring session several years ago. Those rumors have been rejected by Eddie Hearn, and now the Watford warrior has addressed the story.
The former two-time heavyweight champion was interviewed by Sky Sports ahead of his clash with 'Dynamite' and said:
"Good spars, and this whole conversation you're trying to get - [Dubois] 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):