By Oscar Decide
THE aspect of shock was considerably misplaced with the announcement that Anthony Joshua will face Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
In a way, Wednesday’s press convention merely confirmed what everybody had already suspected – that the pair will headline a Riyadh Season occasion for Dubois’ IBF world heavyweight title (that was swiftly elevated from interim to full model simply in time).
Past the preliminary trinket, although, this is a chance for Joshua to get payback on his home rival, who claims to have dropped the 34-year-old in sparring.
The hearsay unfold like wildfire in 2017, when Frank Warren signed Dubois, who was simply 18 years outdated on the time.
Clearly, so much has modified since then, with the 2 Brits exhibiting vital indicators of enchancment in current performances.
What’s extra, the stakes for his or her post-summer sizzler are tremendously excessive, because the winner is ready to position himself subsequent in line for an undisputed showdown.
Till the IBF twist, all 4 belts had been occupied by Oleksandr Usyk following his sensational victory over Tyson Fury final month.
Nonetheless, with a rematch earmarked for later this yr, there may very well be an all-British heavyweight title dust-up to stay up for.
However first, earlier than we get too forward of ourselves, let’s contemplate the keys to victory for Joshua and Dubois, who each look to take away any doubt that they’re the rightful contender for Usyk’s crown.
Anthony Joshua’s keys to victory
Management the vary along with his jab
Since linking up with coach Ben Davison, Joshua has developed a extra authoritative jab that he makes use of to tee up his thudding proper hand. In opposition to Dubois, he’ll little doubt look to ascertain this weapon from the opening spherical, avoiding any mid-to-short-range exchanges – that’s till he has discovered his rhythm by boxing on the surface.
Together with his jab firing, Joshua can command extra management over the space from which he launches his assaults. Various the vary, as and when it fits him, will depart Dubois second guessing whether or not or not he’s out of hurt’s manner, giving Joshua loads of openings to step inside the place he can land hooks and uppercuts.
Anthony Joshua speaks to his head coach Ben Davison throughout the media exercise forward of dealing with Otto Wallin on December 23 in Riyadh (Picture by Richard Pelham/Getty Photos)
Utilise his footwork
One other facet of Joshua’s sport, which has led to him changing into a extra full fighter, is his footwork. His superior mobility was showcased towards Otto Wallin final December when, earlier than scoring a fifth-round stoppage victory, the two-time world heavyweight champion created angles to not solely land his photographs but additionally discover exits out of the pocket.
With Dubois, at occasions, demonstrating much less of an impetus to shift his toes out of vary – a weak point that Usyk uncovered within the ninth spherical of their contest final yr – Joshua is more likely to be introduced ample alternatives to pivot round his extra static opponent, stepping from left to proper whereas touchdown hurtful counters.
Declare the centre of the ring
Spatial consciousness ought to at all times be a key a part of any fighter’s sport plan however, for Joshua, it’s completely central to his fashion. Figuring out that he can take just a few steps again with out being pressed up towards the ropes is in the end what is going to encourage confidence when finishing up his ways.
For his jab and footwork to be efficient, Joshua wants time, however extra importantly, area, to set traps for his opponent. In any other case, if he’s pressured onto the again foot – along with his motion across the ring severely restricted – then any bodily benefits over Dubois may as nicely simply be stats on a web page.
Daniel Dubois’ keys to victory
Disrupt Joshua’s rhythm
Arising towards a extra skilled operator, who has added a number of new strings to his bow, is rarely a straightforward job. For Dubois to get a foothold on this combat, he should unleash his explosive flurries throughout perceived intervals of inactivity, stopping Joshua from establishing his stream.
There are sometimes telltale indicators for when a fighter is about to throw a shot; they’ll reveal an idiosyncratic behaviour of kinds – maybe by wiping their nostril or tapping their shorts – earlier than initiating an trade. If he is ready to determine Joshua’s idiosyncrasies, Dubois can then capitalise on them by timing his assaults accordingly.
Be first to the punch
By being first to the punch, Dubois will keep away from falling sufferer to any traps set by Joshua. The previous WBA ‘common’ champion was conscious of this in his final combat towards Filip Hrgovic, who he was in a position to land cleanly on by main with a wide range of photographs.
Nonetheless, towards Joshua, somebody with the next boxing IQ, Dubois will must be extra measured in his strategy. When placing his ways into motion, it’s important for him to throw loads of feints in order that, after drawing out a lead from Joshua, he can then reply with extra impactful counters.
Keep his psychological resolve
After being labelled a quitter following his tenth-round stoppage defeat to Joe Joyce in 2020, Dubois has confirmed that he does, actually, have the flexibility to dig deep in fights. In his final two performances – towards Jarrell Miller and Hrgovic – he illustrated an unwavering winners’ mentality by weathering some torrid moments earlier than producing an emphatic end on each events.
That is the place Don Charles and Kieran Farrell – his newly-formed coaching crew – have made probably the most notable distinction. By offering clear directions and, when mandatory, a well mannered kick up the bottom, Dubois’ nook will likely be instrumental for when he faces Joshua who, judging by his current outings, could look to finish the combat inside the space.
Daniel Dubois breaks the need of Jarrell Miller throughout their heavyweight combat at Kingdom Area on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Richard Pelham/Getty Photos)
