Lennox Lewis has given his breakdown for this weekend’s world title clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
Lewis will be one of the 96,000 in attendance at Wembley Stadium to witness Joshua and Dubois lock horns for the latter’s IBF heavyweight strap.
The two Brits are amongst the division’s heaviest hitters, and many pundits believe the bout is a pure shootout.
However, ‘The Lion’ believes there is another key factor that will prove decisive.
Speaking to Boxing News, the former undisputed heavyweight king explained “whoever establishes their jab, will establish the win.”
“It’s going to be an epic fight – both guys can blast. They can throw great punches.
“They’re right hand heavy, both of them are right hand heavy. But first they’ve got to line it up with the jab.
“Whoever establishes their jab first will establish the win.”
Dubois became world champion as a result of having his interim status elevated, after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the title.
And Lewis sent a message to the 27-year-old that Saturday night was his opportunity to prove he was a legitimate titlist.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 A̶m̶e̶r̶i̶c̶a̶ 𝗪𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗬 🏟️
🔥@Turki_alalshikh brings @RiyadhSeason to the UK on Saturday 🇬🇧
👊 @anthonyjoshua & Daniel Dubois are ready to throw down 🔜#Boxing #JoshuaDubois #AnthonyJoshua #DanielDubois #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/BNeMvOpoLv
— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) September 16, 2024
“This is the chance to go, or don’t go. Although you got given a belt, now you have to defend it.
“Are you a real champ, or are you not?”
‘Dynamite’ picked up the interim strap in an eight round demolition job of Filip Hrgovic back in June, by far the best performance of his career thus far.
That showing, as well as a gutsy display against Jarrell Miller in the fight prior, has gone some way to dispel questions over whether the Londoner has the heart to compete at the business end of the blue riband division.
Joshua, however, represents a different level entirely to Miller and Hrgovic, and Dubois will be all too aware he can ill afford to take the same amount of shots as he has in recent displays.
