At the launch event for their September 21 world heavyweight title fight, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois nearly came to blows.
The tension was palpable as the two British boxing stars faced off at Wembley Arena.
Heated Exchange
During a tense TV promo filming, tempers flared.
Both fighters stood up angrily, with Dubois brandishing a fist and challenging Joshua: “Right.
Let’s do it here now.”
Joshua later explained his reaction, saying, “I said let’s go but then stepped back.
There are two elements at work in this: boxing under the Queensberry Rules and our fighting instincts.
I chose to be the bigger man.”
Security Intervenes
Security staff quickly stepped in to separate the rivals.
Promoter Frank Warren commented, “This was serious.
We don’t need any stunts to sell this fight.”
He emphasized the appeal of this matchup: “Who wouldn’t want to see two British giants with massive punching power go at each other? It’s what heavyweight boxing is all about.”
Promoters Weigh In
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, added more context to the confrontation.
“It was at the end when they said, ‘September 21st and not before,’ and Daniel said, ‘Well if you want to go now, I’ll go now.’
AJ responded, ‘Do you want me to smash this chair across your face? Don’t ever disrespect me like that again.’
And then he went for him.
They had to be pulled apart.”
Dubois’s Determination
Dubois, unfazed, said, “I’m now dreaming every night about knocking him out and walking away.”
This fierce determination was clear in his demeanor throughout the event.
Usyk’s Unexpected Gift
The backdrop to this clash is Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate his IBF belt, giving Joshua the opportunity to fight for the title.
Usyk sent a video message to Joshua and Dubois, both of whom he has defeated on his path to becoming the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era.
“My friends, the IBF title is my present to you,” Usyk said.
Fury’s Challenge
Usyk’s decision has implications for Tyson Fury, who now faces the challenge of becoming the undisputed world champion without the IBF title on the line.
Fury will still compete for the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles in his December rematch with Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
If Fury is to achieve his goal, he will need to defeat Usyk and hope the winner of the Joshua-Dubois fight agrees to a match in 2025.
Dubois’s Commitment
Dubois cut short a holiday in Brazil to return home for this showdown.
Upon landing, he discovered that the IBF had promoted him from interim to full world champion.
“I saw the news on social media,” he said. “In a way, I would have preferred to win the title in the ring.
But I’ll take care of that by beating AJ.”
The Path to the Title
The IBF had been deliberating whether to strip Usyk of the belt, which would have disrupted the first undisputed championship battle in nearly two decades.
Usyk’s decision made their choice easier.
Dubois’s knockout of Filip Hrgovic, the IBF’s mandatory contender, also played a significant role in their decision to sanction the Joshua vs. Dubois fight.
Conclusion
With the stage set, this highly anticipated fight promises to deliver fireworks.
Joshua will be the challenger, but the stakes are sky-high for both fighters.
As the date approaches, boxing fans worldwide eagerly await the outcome of this epic Battle of Britain.
TDPel Media
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