Daniel Dubois has been elevated to IBF World Heavyweight Champion and will make his first defence against a man who knows the top spot all too well, Anthony Joshua.
The all-British banger is set for Wembley Stadium on September 21 and sees two the of the division’s biggest punchers go toe-to-toe. Joshua, being a former two-time champion already, will step through the ropes the favourite, but Dubois has picked up the more impressive victories recently in Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Miller – who was scheduled to face ‘AJ’ in 2019 but missed out due to a failed doping test – was torn as to who he wanted to win.
“My whole thing is this, I’ve never disliked Dubois. He’s a funny, cool guy. His team’s all cool. I’m rooting for Dubois but at the same time I wanna fight AJ cause we have that unfinished beef.”
The American heavyweight, coming off a draw against Andy Ruiz Jr, said that Dubois can take a punch better than Joshua but ultimately said it would come down to preparation.
“Dubois clearly has a better chin than AJ. I feel like it’s gonna come down to nutrition and who’s gonna have the better game plan. I’m rooting for Dubois in this one.”
Few in the sport are predicting the bout goes the distance – the pair have 45 knockout wins between them and have both been stopped inside the distance in their losses.
It’s the first of two remaining heavyweight world title fights for the second half of 2024 as Oleksandr Usyk – who vacated the belt Dubois now holds – rematches Tyson Fury following his thrilling win in May. The winners of the two fights may be matched together in the first half of next year.