Anthony Joshua reminded Daniel Dubois of his sense of ambition when they weighed in for Saturday’s IBF heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium.
In front of a crowd that lightly booed Dubois at London’s Trafalgar Square, they spoke for the final time before their arrivals at Wembley on Saturday evening for the occasion that represents the biggest fight of Dubois’ career and one that could end Joshua’s at the highest level.
Plans exist for the 34-year-old Joshua to finally fight Tyson Fury should he succeed in dethroning Dubois, but if he loses to the IBF champion on the occasion of his first title defence, unlike after successive defeats by Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua’s career would prove difficult to rebuild.
They had to be separated when the first came face to face to promote Saturday’s fight and the less experienced Dubois, 27 and increasingly recognised as dangerous, has never once appeared intimidated.
He, similarly, seemed unconcerned about Joshua’s status as favorite with the crowd that was present, but after weighing in narrowly heavier than his fellow Londoner, Joshua told DAZN: “I’m not a warrior in the garden yet. I’m not a warrior in the garden yet. I’m still on the battlefield. I’m not smelling any roses yet – just blood.
“I look at myself as a gladiator and I’m about to step into an arena tomorrow to perform for the people who love to see blood, guts and glory. I’m pumped and I’m ready to perform for the people.”
Dubois – who despite his status as champion weighed in first – was described as “tense” by Joseph Parker, among Joshua’s former opponents, and his trainer Don Charles was again absent, but he said: “I’m ready to fight. It’s time to get in the ring and fight. Let’s go.
“We’ve been working hard. All I can say is I’m ready to fight.
“A lot of work’s gone into this. I’m just ready to go. The talking’s done.”
Willy Hutchinson had by then appeared the most confident of each of those scheduled to fight at Wembley, ahead of what represents his toughest fight, at light heavyweight against Joshua Buatsi.
Josh Warrington and Anthony Cacace, who will fight at super featherweight, were involved in a heating shouting match, and the lightweights Mark Chamberlain and Josh Padley exchanged shoves.
IBF heavyweight title 12 x 3 minute rounds
Daniel Dubois 248.6lbs vs. Anthony Joshua 252.5lbs
European middleweight title 12 x 3 minute rounds
Tyler Denny 159.9lbs vs. Hamzah Sheeraz 159.6lbs
Light heavyweight – 12 x 3 minute rounds
Willy Hutchinson 174.9lbs vs. Joshua Buatsi 174.7lbs
Junior lightweight – 12 x 3 minute rounds
Anthony Cacace 129.8lbs vs. Josh Warrington 129lbs
Middleweight – 12 x 3 minute rounds
Josh Kelly 159.1lbs vs. Ishmael Davis 159.3lbs
Junior middleweight – 10 x 3 minute rounds
Mark Chamberlain 139.4lbs vs. Josh Padley 139.6lbs
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