Joe Joyce insists the pressure is on Daniel Dubois ahead of their eagerly-anticipated showdown on November 28.
Unbeaten British foes Joyce (11-0, 10 KOs) and Dubois (15-0, 14 KOs) will finally meet on November 28 on BT Sport 1, following three prior postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dubois’ British, Commonwealth and WBC Silver heavyweight titles will be at stake, as well as the vacant European crown and the ‘Juggernaut’ says the pressure lies with ‘Dynamite,’ who heads into the clash as the bookies favourite.
“I am not under any pressure because, according to the bookies, Daniel has already won,” Joyce explained.
“He has made a big name for himself and he has got the pressure to deliver.
“I don’t know why, but it is okay because it will be better when I beat him because I will take his scalp, how he has been built and take it further.”
Dubois is on a six-fight knockout streak, having destroyed Ricardo Snijders in two rounds in his last outing in August, whilst Joyce stopped Michael Wallisch in three rounds in July.
At 35-years-old, Joyce is 12 years Dubois’ senior and although the Olympic Silver medalist admits defeat to his former Team GB rival would be a major setback in his career, the ‘Juggernaut’ insists victory will catapult him to a world title shot.
“I don’t feel that old because I only started in the game at the age he is now, which is 23,” Joyce added.
“I feel like I haven’t been in the sport that long and that I have quite a few years ahead of me.
“But, yeah, this is a big fight and it is a big ladder to the top or a snake where I would have to rebuild.
“So the loser will have to rebuild a little bit and Daniel has got time more on his side because he is a young pup who would definitely be able to come back.
“I’d be able to come back too, but I don’t plan to do that. This is my chance to show what I am made of and to progress to the next stage and get a shot to become heavyweight champion.
“That is the route I am going. My aim before was to get to the Olympics and win a medal, so I completed that, although it was meant to be the gold medal and that didn’t happen.
“As a professional I want to be world champion and this is the route I need to go down and Dubois is standing in my way right now.”
The winner of the bout is on course for a WBO world title shot, potentially against mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk, depending on whether unified champion Anthony Joshua fulfils his obligation or vacates the belt in pursuit of a showdown with WBC world champion Tyson Fury, with Dubois ranked two by the WBO.
