Daniel Dubois has vowed to break Anthony Joshua’s will when they lock horns at Wembley Stadium this weekend.
Dubois will make the first defence of his IBF world heavyweight championship against Joshua, after being elevated from interim status after Oleksandr Usyk was forced to vacate the title.
Questions were raised around the 27-year-old’s heart following his defeats to Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk, with some observers of the opinion he could have carried on in both fights.
However, ‘Dynamite’ went some ways towards vindicating himself with gutsy performances against Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic – and is now looking to make ‘AJ’ quit.
Speaking to Sky Sports yesterday, Dubois added he plans to “enjoy the moment” in front of what is set to be a record-breaking crowd of 96,000.
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“I’ve got to make him quit, break him down, That’s my mindset going into this. Making him quit, breaking him.
“I believe I can.
“I’m turning it round now at this stage of my career. I’ve come through my ups and downs, just turning it round.
“Enjoy the moment, let all the talking be done, let all the statements be made. I’m in a good place right now and I’m ready to fight.
“Seize the moment. It will all become real. Enough of the thinking, enough of the talking.”
Dubois, once a softly-spoken character, appears to be enjoying a new found confidence as a result of his current form, and is clearly not afraid of ruffling the more experienced Joshua’s feathers.
The pair had to be separated by security during a sit down interview over the summer, after ‘DDD’ said he was willing to fight there and then with his countryman – who in turn threated to hit him with a chair.
The young Londoner and his team will be all too aware, though, that Joshua too has impressed in recent showings, particularly against Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou last time out.
The 34-year-old is the betting favourite for the clash, though that there is no doubt Dubois will be his stiffest test since back-to-back defeats to Usyk.
