The financial muscle of Turki Alalshikh has ensured a star-studded card at Wembley Stadium this Saturday evening, and in the main event, Anthony Joshua bids to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world, when he faces Daniel Dubois in the Londoner’s first defence of his IBF title.
Joshua vs Dubois is on a multitude of box office platforms around the world.
After Olympic glory in 2012, Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) worked his way through the ranks to become a unified heavyweight champions, defeating the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin along the way.
His world came crashing down though in New York in June 2019, when he was stunningly halted in seven rounds by Andy Ruiz Jr. ‘AJ’ would immediately regian his gold in Saudi Arabia on the cards six months later, and after defending once more, he would again relinquish his grip on his three belts with a clear points loss to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.
A rematch in Jeddah garnered the same result, albeit a split decision loss, and Joshua’s career was at the crossroads. 2023 saw uninspiring wins against Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius, but he roared back to form in the final month of the year under new trainer Ben Davidson, dominating Otto Wallin, forcing the Swede to retire after five rounds.
2024 has seen one win, but it was another emphatic one, as he wiped out Francis Ngannou in two rounds in March.
Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) has also looked rejuvanated under a new trainer. The 27-year-old was on a fast-track to stardom, but was broken down and knocked out by Joe Joyce in a tenth round loss in November 2020.
The Greenwich man would rebuild, taking the WBA ‘Regular’ title by knocking out Trevor Bryan in four in June 2022, and got off the canvas three times to stop Kevin Lerena in three six months later on. That win led to a showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, and although Dubois acquitted himself well, he would eventually be counted out in the ninth round.
This defeat re-focused ‘Dynamite’, and he responded with a superb tenth and final round stoppage of Jarrell Miller at the end of 2023, which paved the way for a shot at Filip Hrgovic, and the interim IBF strap.
Dubois couldn’t miss the Croatian, and he forced an eighth round stoppage with Hrgovic a mess. Dubois would be upgraded to full champion after Usyk decided to vacate to concentrate on a rematch with Tyson Fury.
Prediction: Joshua is a seasoned campaigner at the very top level, and although Dubois’ win over Hrgovic was mightily impressive, he was as open as the Croatian was at times, and his defence was certainly loose. I think Joshua can exploit this, and score an explosive win inside the first half of the bout.
Cacace defends against Warrington
In the supporting bouts, Anthony Cacace (22-1, 8 KOs) takes on Josh Warrington (31-3, 8 KOs).
Cacace was a firm underdog in his first crack at elite world honours in May, but he grabbed his chance with both hands, overwhelming and then stopping Joe Cordina in eight rounds. in Saudi Arabia. He now takes on the experienced Warrington, a two-time IBF champion at featherweight.
The Leeds man has lost his last two contests, losing his world title via majority decision to Luis Alberto Lopez in December 2022, before being stopped in seven by Leigh Wood for the same belt last October.
Prediction: Warrington has shown signs of fragility of late, and a lot of wars have taken their toll. I fancy the fresher Cacace to make a successful defence with a clear points win.
Davis steps in to take on Kelly
The undercard was shorn of an intriguing clash, with Liam Smith pulling out of his meeting with Josh Kelly due to a virus. Kelly (15-1-1, 8 KOs) takes on a tricky test against the hungry Ishmael Davis (13-0, 6 KOs), who steps in at less than a week’s notice for their middleweight encounter.
Kelly has had a tricky last few years, with plenty of flat performances mixed with quality, and an impressive wide points win against Troy Williamson for the British super welterweight title in December 2022 failed to launch lift off for the Sunderland man. ‘Pretty Boy’ was out twice in 2023, his most recent outing a third round knockout of Placido Ramirez.
Davis is coming off a first scheduled twelve rounder, where he impressed in clearly outscoring common opponent Troy Williamson.
Prediction: Kelly should make the necessary adjustments here, and he can nullify Davis to take a win on points in this one.
BREAKING: Liam Smith is out of his fight with Josh Kelly and will be replaced by Ishmael Davies 🚨#JoshuaDubois | Sky Sports Box Office | Sept 21 | #RiyadhSeasonCard pic.twitter.com/GaI3er0Eox
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) September 16, 2024
Buatsi faces high flying Hutchinson
Joshua Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs) was last seen outscoring Dan Azeez in February to defend take the British and Commonwealth light heavyweight titles, and he meets Willy Hutchinson (18-1, 13 KOs) for the interim WBO world title here.
Hutchinson impressed last time out, taking a gritty points win against Craig Richards to win the WBC Silver belt. I think Buatsi will be too strong here though, and he can score a stoppage in the later rounds.
Denny steps up against Sheeraz
Tyler Denny (19-2-3, KO1) attempts to defy the odds once again, but I fancy Hamzah Sheeraz (20-0, 16 KOs) may be the one to stop the Midlander’s fine recent form by coming through on the cards, and taking Denny’s European middleweight title in the process.
“𝗠𝗔𝗬𝗕𝗘 𝗪𝗘’𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗠𝗘 & 𝗛𝗜𝗠 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘” 👀
💬 @sheeraz_hamzah on a potential fight with @2Sharp_d 🇬🇧
Full Interview ➡️ https://t.co/5daHmcDC9s#Boxing #DennySheeraz #HamzahSheeraz #DenzelBentley pic.twitter.com/Otajm24AY8
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) September 10, 2024
Chamberlain looks to impress against Padley
Lightweight prospect Mark Chamberlain (16-0, 12 KOs) is a favourite of Turki Alalshikh, and he should win early again, this time against the unbeaten Josh Padley (14-0, 4 KOs).
