Eddie Hearn admits Daniel Dubois presents a real danger ahead of his IBF heavyweight title defense against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Hearn said he was “aware of the challenge” presented in the high stakes heavyweight clash.
“I think most people believe AJ’s the favorite in the fight, but Daniel’s a very live underdog,” said Hearn. “He’s dangerous, he punches very hard. It will be interesting to see how he handles this [the big stage] and the emotion on the night but like Frank [Warren] said, anything can happen in the heavyweight division.
“I do rank as AJ’s No. 1 fan. He’s a friend. Over the years, we’ve had our highs and our lows and to see him make history as a three-time world heavyweight champion would be an incredible moment for him, and we’d be very proud.
“I know a lot of people talk about His Excellency but to see the comments from the British fight fans and the American fight fans asking to bring Riyadh Season to Los Angeles, to London, we never thought we’d see Riyadh Season in London, and I’m glad we have because it’s a massive shot in the arm for British boxing. This whole project has been less than a year, 11 months, and we’re getting to see all the big fights, all the big cards, not just Riyadh Season London coming up but Bivol-Beterbiev in just over three weeks [in Saudi Arabia], probably the best fight in boxing, and then of course the Fury-Usyk rematch in December. It’s an amazing run for the sport and we’ve got to enjoy it.”
Hearn has promoted Joshua from his professional debut, and Warren has done the same thing with Dubois.
“I’m excited. I think we’ve got a fabulous show and a great fight on Saturday night, and it’s going to be an all-action fight with two massive, massive big punchers. It won’t go the distance, but it’s going t be really exciting while it lasts,” said Warren.
“It’s huge – 96,000 people. That’s all you need to know. Biggest attendance ever in Europe for a fight – that says it all. That’s how it should be as well – it’s a tremendous card. Wembley special; Riyadh Season. It’s an unbelievable, competitive fight card with great, great fights all the way through. Don’t blink. Every fight is going to be an absolute barnstormer – every one of them.
“[It’s] Fabulous [to have Riyadh Season in London]. Look at it – everybody’s up for it. This is what it’s all about. It’s big-time boxing; it’s boxing at the highest level. It’s a card that we never, ever thought we’d… Eddie and I couldn’t put a card together like this. It’s the fact that it’s being sponsored and it’s put together in association with Riyadh Season makes it work, so it’s been an unbelievable year for boxing. There’s been dynamic change; ground shifting, as far as what’s happened in the sport because of Riyadh Season. These great fights; these fabulous heavyweight division fights; suddenly the heavyweight division is just on fire. We’re going to see some seriously, seriously hot burning flames with these two guys throwing big punches on Saturday night. It’s going to be something extra special and exciting.”
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