Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight preview: news, how to watch

September 16, 2024, 09:13 am US Eastern Time

Anthony Joshua has the chance to become a three-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday when Daniel Dubois puts his IBF belt on the line at Wembley Stadium in London.

Dubois, who beat Filip Hrgović in June, was awarded the title after it was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk, who called it his “gift” to Dubois and Joshua ahead of their fight.

The fight pits two fighters at different stages of their respective careers, with the tantalising prospect of another title fight against Usyk or Tyson Fury on the horizon.

Key details:

Date: Saturday 21st September. Ring walk is scheduled for 22:30 UK time.

Event: Wembley Stadium

Securities: Daniel Dubois IBF World Heavyweight Title

The poster:

Tyler Denny vs. Hamzah Sheeraz for Denny's European middleweight title

Anthony Cacace vs. Josh Warrington for Cacace's IBF junior lightweight title

Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson for the vacant IBF interim light heavyweight title

Ismael Davis vs. Josh Kelly, middleweight (non-title fight)

Mark Chamberlain vs. Josh Padley, lightweight (non-title fight)

Where can I watch the Joshua-Dubois fight card?

The fight will be available to buy on Sky Sports, TNT and DAZN in the UK and on DAZN in the US. The ringwalk is scheduled for 10:30pm UK time (5:30pm ET).

ESPN will also have a live blog that night.

What's at stake?

In addition to Dubois' IBF title, the winner will likely face Fury or Usyk next year following their rematch on December 21 in Riyadh.

Rumours of a highly anticipated showdown between Joshua and Fury have grown ever louder in recent weeks, but the focus will be on Dubois first and foremost as the loser will once again be forced to work his way back up the highly competitive heavyweight ranks.

Both Joshua and Dubois have already faced Ukrainian Usyk in title fights, with Joshua falling short first at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021 and then in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in August 2022, on both occasions by comfortable points decisions.

Dubois gave Usyk arguably the biggest scare of his unblemished professional career in their fight in Wrocław, Poland, when the Englishman dropped his opponent in the fifth round with what was controversially regarded as a low blow, before the champion recovered to win by knockout in the ninth round.

Statistics

Stats to watch from ESPN's Stats and Information Group.

Key questions:

How will Dubois handle the big occasion?

Joshua, 34, is far more experienced than Dubois, 27, so the bright lights of Wembley will be a real test for the younger man, who will have to deal with being the centre of attention on fight week before going out in front of 96,000 fans at England's national stadium.

By comparison, arguably the best night of Joshua’s career was at Wembley in 2017, when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko to become unified champion. Joshua has won all four of his fights at the stadium, three of which he has headlined, although the most recent of those fights was in December 2020 against Kubrat Pulev.

How aggressive will Joshua be against a better opponent?

Joshua had no problems with Francis Ngannou in March, scoring a devastating second-round knockout in Riyadh, even after many believed the former UFC heavyweight champion could cause him problems after knocking out Tyson Fury in his previous foray into the world of heavyweight boxing. That victory followed Joshua’s wild display against Otto Wallin in December.

On both occasions, Joshua let his hands go and his opponents simply couldn't control him. Dubois, who is a big puncher, will be a step up in the weight class. So will Joshua show more caution? Or will he fire all guns blazing from the opening bell?

Latest news:

Anthony Joshua, the biggest British boxing star of all time – Eddie Hearn
British boxing will never again produce a star as bright as Anthony Joshua, according to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.

Daniel Dubois vows to be the 'kingkiller' against Anthony Joshua
Dubois has been vocal about his backing of himself in the build-up to the fight and has said he can be the “kingkiller” against Joshua.

Liam Gallagher to perform at Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois fight
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will perform as part of the fight night entertainment, and there are rumours his brother Noel could also make an appearance ahead of the band's reunion in 2025.

Oleksandr Usyk vacates IBF title ahead of Joshua-Dubois fight
After becoming the first undisputed world heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years in May, Usyk vacated his IBF belt in what he called his “gift” to Joshua and Dubois.

Is Dubois a real threat to Joshua?
Nick Parkinson takes an in-depth look at Dubois and the threat he could pose to his opponent.