By way of a curtain raiser for the most humongous all-British world heavyweight title fight for three decades, Anthony Joshua has given an insight into the mentality of the modern-day gladiators which is as raw as it is rare.
Smashing his fist into a table with the primal force he intends on applying to the face of Daniel Dubois in front of a record Wembley Stadium crowd on Saturday, Joshua explodes verbally when asked about threatening his fellow Englishman with a chair during a television face-off.
‘Right,’ he says. ‘I’ll give you the gist behind it. The effing disrespect. A week before I was in a pub and a new-generation kid is saying things. When his mate warns him he says he doesn’t give a f*** if AJ is in the pub.
‘In my business you can’t allow that. Especially with other people watching. I said: “What? Don’t talk to me like that. You know who I am and what I’m about and this will not end well for you.”
‘Did I get up and leave the pub? Me? No way! Let’s just say we drew a line under it.’
Tempers flared when Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois sat down ahead of their heavyweight title fight
But the pair insist that they will shake hands at the end of their record-breaking showdown
Joshua can join an elite group of three-time heavyweight champions if he can triumph on Saturday
There are echoes of Joshua’s own youth on the mean streets of Watford, from which he thanks boxing for saving him, when he moves on to the studio bust-up with Dubois.
‘So only a week after the pub I’m still in that same mindset and we’re doing the face-off when Dan gets nasty. I don’t let anyone take a mile. He stands up and says, “Let’s go now. Am I going to say I’m not ready to go now? Nah, you f***ing crazy. So listen Dan. Stop right there. I will smash this f***ing chair across your face. And I’ll ram the f***ing pole down your throat.
| Anthony Joshua | Daniel Dubois | |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Age | 27 |
| 6 ft 6 in (198cm) | Height | 6 ft 5 in (196cm) |
| 18 stone | Weight | 17 stone, 10lb |
| 28 | Wins | 21 |
| 25 | By KO | 20 |
| 3 | Losses | 2 |
| 162 | Rounds | 90 |
| 82in | Reach | 78in |
| Orthodox | Stance | Orthodox |
‘I hope that ripples out to everyone. I’m in an industry with testosterone-charged gladiators who will take any opportunity to test your toughness. Can’t happen.’
Having got that off his iron six-pack, this muscular giant insists that at heart he is still the Mr Nice Guy who won his first world title eight years ago.
He says: ‘I’m a nice person. Honestly. I don’t go looking for trouble. But I will switch and go to extremes if needs be. Most people are all right with me and me with them. So pick what side of the fence you want to sit.’
As for Dubois, Joshua relaxes and says: ‘I like Dan. There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s a good guy and a good boxer. We’re men, remember. We’ll shake hands after the fight.’
They will touch gloves before, as ring tradition decrees, even though the outcome will have huge impact on their careers. The final phase of AJ’s, as he turns 35 next month. The defining rite of passage for Dubois, 27.
For Joshua, this is a golden autumn opportunity to join the pantheon of three-time world heavyweight champions. To take exalted company with Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko and Michael Moorer. A chance created, ironically, by his two defeats by Oleksandr Usyk. Dubois also has to thank the Ukrainian for elevation by committee to the IBF title, which Usyk vacated for a three-belt rematch with Tyson Fury during Christmas week in Riyadh.
Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis both captured heavyweight gold on three separate occasions
Victory for Dubois meanwhile could propel him into a showcase clash with Tyson Fury
Victory for Dubois would authenticate his champion status and, as could be the case for Joshua, lead to a mega-millions fight with the Gypsy King. Joshua, as the principal driving force towards a 96,000 sell-out, will be banking more of the many millions from the showpiece.
AJ does not share his promoter Eddie Hearn’s belief that Dynamite Daniel will be blown away when he emerges into that over-whelming atmosphere.
‘He’ll be fine’ says Joshua. ‘He knows what this is. He walked into a stadium in Poland to face Usyk and although he lost he was competitive. When he walks into Wembley he will know he has no other choice but to rise to the occasion.’
Both men are built sound and solid on the foundation stone of any champion prizefighter — the jab. In this case, orthodox lefts. Each has concussive punching power, in both hands.
The two of them have had their resistance and determination questioned following stoppages which ended their unbeaten records. Both appear to have regrouped. Dubois withstood massive blows from Filip Hrgovic and delivered the stoppage which led to him being promoted to full champion status. His promoter, Frank Warren, offers two fractured eye-sockets into reasonable evidence of Triple D’s fortitude.
Hearn has eased Joshua back to full conviction via victories over four opponents of increasing degrees of difficulty. AJ credits much of his redemption to his latest trainer, Ben Davison. He says: ‘I’ve trained more diligently. Focused more on setting up my big shots the way we watch film of great fighters of the past doing. Developed my delivery along with improving the precision.’
They are style opposites in their movement, which should be the recipe for an exciting fight. Dubois is a front-footer, pressing forward behind a high volume of punches despite the risk of being caught by leaving openings for his opponent.
Joshua began his Olympic gold and early professional career in that idiom but has learned to dance, duck and dive as well. In this he has become more accomplished at picking off the enemy with counter punches.
Joshua has credited trainer Ben Davison with guiding him throughout his recent resurgence
34-year-old has won four straight, and inflicted a devastating KO on Francis Ngannou in March
Both are lethal finishers the moment they get their man in trouble. So this may come down to which Goliath has the most resistant chin.
Joshua says: ‘I’m a different fighter than when I was younger but also better. When he makes his mistake, I’ll knock him out.’
Dubois: ‘I’ve matured since my losses and the time is right for me to beat up this old man, embarrass him and take over.’
So what is it to be? Experience telling or the precocious ambition of youth prevailing? The status quo in the division or the advent of the next generation?
Joshua broke down immediately after his second defeat by Usyk, as he threw the belts out of the ring. Now he says: ‘There is a lot of emotion in boxing and if I lose this one I’ll probably go into the stands on a wrecking rampage.’
Wembley is likely to be spared the repair bills. Though not without mutual trips to the canvas. And just about, by a late stoppage of the young pretender.
