Ahead of their highly anticipated all-British IBF heavyweight title fight on Saturday in London, champion Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua weighed in Friday before a large crowd in Trafalgar Square.
The 27-year-old Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) tipped the scales at a career-high 248.6 pounds, while the 34-year-old Joshua (28-3, 25 knockouts) weighed in at 252.5 for their 12-round fight set to draw a record 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.
“I’m ready to fight, just time to get in the ring and fight,” a focused Dubois said. “I’m ready to go. A lot of work going into this, a lot of training. I win by any means necessary.”
Joshua, who received most of the fan support at the weigh-in, called himself a “gladiator” preparing to enter battle.
“If I can ask you one favor, go home tonight and make a prayer for me, for success tomorrow, that I will become three-time heavyweight champion of the world,” Joshua told the crowd. “I look at myself as a gladiator, and I’m about to step into an arena tomorrow to perform for the people who love to see blood, guts and glory.”
Joshua will appear in first title fight since his repeat loss to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022. Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs), who holds the WBC, WBA and WBO belts, has knocked out Dubois and beaten Joshua twice by decision.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, told ESPN that his fighter is in the best shape of his career but added that Dubois will certainly be no pushover.
“AJ’s in a place that I’ve never seen him in before,” Hearn said. “I mean, I’m always nervous about his fights, but he just mentally, physically looks so ready. But Dubois is a handful, it’s not going to be an easy fight.
“But I believe (Joshua) will be victorious tomorrow and become three-time world heavyweight champion.”
As one would expect, Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, sees a different outcome.
“(Dubois) is young man, just turned 27, he’s shown what he’s all about,” Warren said. “He’s calm, cool and collected. Tomorrow night, you’re going to see something special.
“Bombs away, that’s what it’s going to be. I’m very excited, it’s a massive, massive fight and we’re going to see fireworks tomorrow.”
–Field Level Media
