Anthony Joshua challenges Daniel Dubois for the IBF world heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday September 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office; Riyadh Season: Joshua vs Dubois also features Joshua Buatsi, Josh Kelly and Tyler Denny on a packed undercard
Thursday 19 September 2024 12:25, UK
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois gave a first glimpse of their preparations for Saturday’s IBF heavyweight world title at their public workouts at Wembley Arena.
At the weekend they will throw punches in earnest a few metres over the road from the arena at Wembley Stadium, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Joshua only shadowboxed, throwing steady shots ahead of him and occasionally leaping high up into the air. He was loose and moved easily but revealed little.
He worked cheerfully around amateur boxers from his original club, Finchley, who shared the ring shadowboxing with him.
What Joshua did show was his state of mind before a major fight. He was relaxed. Calm and composed, Joshua has headlined a host of times before and is himself no stranger to Wembley Stadium.
"There's no emotions. No emotions," he insisted.
The last week ahead of the fight, for him, is just "more talking, more training most importantly and walking into the ring in front of 96,000 people ready to show my gladiatorial spirit".
In contrast Dubois, day by day, is getting himself fired up, "building up my energy" for the contest.
A big man himself, Dubois sidled round the ring canvas, throwing out jabs before tapping foam noodles wielded by assistant trainer Kieran Farrell.
His ungloved fists rapped crisply against them and he gave hints of some of his increased head movement as he bobbed beneath a noodle when Farrell swept it across at him.
Gloving up, he smacked a few combinations into the pads but soon called time on his efforts.
The physical side of his preparations are done. He is gearing himself up mentally for the Wembley Stadium event.
"It's all part of the pre-fight ritual," Dubois said. "I'm just going through the motions and just building up my energy for Saturday.
"I'm ready to fight so I'm in a good place at the moment," he added. "I know I need to go to another level, my very best, I can't wait for the challenge on Saturday.
"I've just worked hard in the gym. I've suffered and worked really hard for weeks and months so I'm just ready to fight now."
After the workout, contests were held featuring Chris Kongo picking up a victory over Jacob Quinn and Aadam Hamed, the son of Prince Naseem, taking a four-round victory over Santiago Garces.
Hamed won each round but his plucky opponent made him work for the 40-36 win.
Sky Sports' Matthew Macklin says:
"You're trying to conserve energy the week of a fight. I know Joshua doesn't have to make weight, he has to do a lot of media stuff and that's all energy sapping. He's probably thinking I've got the press conference tomorrow, what do I need to be hitting pads for. I've done all the work. I'm sharp and fit. It is a nice thing to bring the kids in as well.
"Physically you couldn't get a read on anything [at the workout]. Mentally, he looks relaxed. It's not his first rodeo, is it?
"All these media events, I imagine it's taking more out of Daniel Dubois than it is out of AJ. He's been in some big fights absolutely but he hasn't been in an occasion as big as this. It's a massive, massive chance for him. He's boxing in front of 90,000 people, he's headlining. It is another level.
"It seems to me he's quite an introverted character anyway. If you're an introvert just socialising with your mates is energy-sapping, let alone having to do all this. It'll be affecting him more.
"AJ is taking it in his stride, he's a veteran of these huge events."
Anthony Joshua's heavyweight showdown with Daniel Dubois takes place on Saturday September 21 live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Joshua v Dubois now!
