Power, poise and precision: Where Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois might be won or lost

By Oscar Pick

THE factor of shock was considerably lost 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).

Beyond 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The hearsay unfold like wildfire in 2017, when Frank Warren signed Dubois, who was simply 18 years outdated on the time.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, quite a bit has modified since then, with the 2 Brits exhibiting vital indicators of enchancment in latest performances. 

What is extra, the stakes for his or her post-summer sizzler are tremendously excessive, because the winner is about to put himself subsequent in line for an undisputed showdown.

Until the IBF twist, all 4 belts have been occupied by Oleksandr Usyk following his sensational victory over Tyson Fury final month. 

However, with a rematch earmarked for later this 12 months, there might be an all-British heavyweight title dust-up to sit up for.

But first, earlier than we get too forward of ourselves, let’s think about 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

Control the vary together 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. Against 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 skin. 

With his jab firing, Joshua can command extra management over the space from which he launches his assaults. Varying 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. 

Utilise his footwork 

Another side of Joshua’s recreation, which has led to him turning 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 in addition discover exits out of the pocket.

With Dubois, at instances, 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 12 months – Joshua is more likely to be offered ample alternatives to pivot round his extra static opponent, stepping from left to proper whereas touchdown hurtful counters.

Claim the centre of the ring 

Spatial consciousness ought to all the time be a key a part of any fighter’s recreation plan however, for Joshua, it’s completely central to his fashion. Knowing that he can take a number of 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. Otherwise, if he’s pressured onto the again foot – together with his motion across the ring severely restricted –  then any bodily benefits over Dubois might as properly simply be stats on a web page.

Daniel Dubois’ keys to victory

Disrupt Joshua’s rhythm

Coming up towards a extra skilled operator, who has added a number of new strings to his bow, is rarely a straightforward process. For Dubois to get a foothold on this struggle, 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 alternate. If he is ready to establish 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 former WBA ‘regular’ champion was conscious of this in his final struggle towards Filip Hrgovic, who he was capable of land cleanly on by main with a wide range of photographs. 

However, towards Joshua, somebody with a better boxing IQ, Dubois might want to be extra measured in his strategy. When placing his ways into motion, it can be crucial 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.

Maintain 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, in actual fact, have the power 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. 

This is the place Don Charles and Kieran Farrell – his newly-formed coaching staff – have made essentially the most notable distinction. By offering clear directions and, when essential, a well mannered kick up the bottom, Dubois’ nook will be instrumental for when he faces Joshua who, judging by his latest outings, might look to finish the struggle inside the space. 

Daniel Dubois breaks the need of Jarrell Miller throughout their heavyweight struggle at Kingdom Arena on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)