This weekend, Anthony Joshua will battle Daniel Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight champion, live on DAZN from Wembley Stadium in London in an attempt to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) is currently on a four-fight winning streak. In March, he decisively knocked out Francis Ngannou.
In June, Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) defeated Filip Hrgović via TKO in the eighth round.
By the end of the evening, which knockout talent will have his hand raised in triumph? DAZN outlines the secrets to winning for each heavyweight in this championship match, which has extremely high stakes.
Anthony Joshua’s secret to success
Put the power jab in place.
With his four-inch reach advantage, Anthony Joshua should use his power jab to counter Daniel Dubois’s recent displays of deft footwork and potentially neutralise some of the IBF champion’s powerful punching power.
Put combinations together piecemeal.
After AJ asserts his power jab, he has to produce power shots with the same kind of controlled aggression that has been so evident in his last four victories.
If Joshua catches Dubois with his right hand, landing these kinds of combinations will undoubtedly hurt him and maybe put an early end to his night and championship reign.
Upon observing Dubois’ June eighth-round TKO victory over Filip Hrgovic, it is evident that “Dynamite” can punch wide and then let his guard down.
When AJ notices this, it may be the perfect time to slam a heavy right hand across Dubois’s chin.
Take charge and intimidate Dubois.
During this winning run, Joshua has excelled in the front end, and if he has the advantage over Dubois, he won’t let it go.
Joshua’s ability to punish his fellow Brit and easily defeat Dubois will be crucial if he is to win the heavyweight title three times.
AJ needs to intimidate Dubois to obtain the stoppage.
Daniel Dubois’s secrets to success
Employ alternating footwork while launching the upward jab.
Rewatch Dubois’s matchup with Hrgovic, and you’ll notice some deft in-and-out footwork in the opening moments.
If Joshua can be disciplined to it for extended periods, Dubois’s light foot bounce while throwing the up jab might allow him to get into a solid routine and irritate the champion.
Be smaller while delivering powerful blows.
As previously observed, Dubois often punches a little too wide, especially when trying to make a shot amid traffic.
It might be fatal for Dubois to try this against AJ, a seasoned former two-time unified heavyweight world champion.
The champion needs to be slightly smaller to protect himself from Joshua’s powerful, destructive right hand.
Keep the moment from becoming too huge.
Dubois has had major fight experience in the past; his matchup with Oleksandr Usyk in August 2023 was particularly good. And he did just that, stopping Usyk in the fifth round with a body hit that, on closer inspection, was on the belt line rather than a low strike as the reigning unified heavyweight champion had shrewdly portrayed.
However, it’s safe to assume that Dubois has never engaged in combat in a loud setting with high lights, like Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Given the circumstances, Dubois cannot afford to become overly enthusiastic about his punching and attitude, as this could lead to a catastrophic knockout and a brief reign as the IBF title holder.
Maintaining his composure will increase his chances of pulling off an upset.