An announcement is anticipated on Wednesday regarding Anthony Joshua’s next opponent for his fight on September 21st at Wembley Stadium.
Daniel Dubois is considered the frontrunner, which means the vacant IBF heavyweight title could be on the line. Promoter Eddie Hearn has indicated that the IBF belt must be available for Dubois to face Joshua. However, it remains uncertain if Hearn would proceed with Dubois as the opponent without the title being involved.
Watch Dubois vs. Hrgovic highlights: Watch
Experts believe Dubois has a real chance of defeating Joshua. If Dubois can withstand Joshua’s power, he might knock him out, especially if Joshua fights aggressively. However, if Joshua adopts a more cautious, safety-first approach similar to his rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr., he might survive the bout without getting knocked out. This strategy might help Joshua last twelve rounds against Dubois, provided he doesn’t get fatigued or cornered.
Dubois has shown significant mental fortitude and resilience since his loss to Usyk in 2023. In his recent fights against Filip Hrgovic and Jarrell Miller, Dubois absorbed heavy shots but managed to secure victories by wearing down his opponents with his own powerful punches.
Comparing the recent opponents of Dubois and Joshua reveals that Dubois has faced stiffer competition. Dubois has fought Hrgovic, Miller, and Usyk, while Joshua's last opponents include Francis Ngannou, Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius, and Jermaine Franklin. This difference in competition level highlights the challenges Joshua might face in a bout against Dubois. If the fight is confirmed, it will be a big test for him.
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