By Abu Mahmood: In boxing, legacy is important. What do the fans remember about a fighter, their achievements, and most importantly, how they fought every time they entered the sacred boxing ring?
In the heavyweight division, every punch is thrown with mean intentions. Each punch can spell game over for the opponent. When the dust settles, spectators usually see one individual with their arms raised in triumph and the sounds of celebration surrounding the arena, while in the opposite corner, a defeated challenger is faced with the thought of making their way back up the mountain. make. for another shot at glory, fame and the title “Greatest Of All Time”.
On the 21st of September we will see two warriors from the division clash in a fight that will have an impact on the rest of the heavyweight division. Anthony Joshua (28–3-0, 25 KOs) will face IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (21-2-0, 20KOs) for the chance to call himself a three-time world champion and to create a third chance to try and take down the enigmatic and elusive ring general that is Oleksandr Usyk (22-0-0, 14 KOs).
Daniel Dubois faces his biggest challenge yet in Anthony Joshua. Dubois was elevated to the status of world champion on the 26th of June. For many, this challenge will strengthen his claim to the title “world champion”, while also allowing him to right the wrong he believes occurred in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
For Joshua a chance to become world champion again and challenge Usyk for the title of undisputed. For Dubois a chance to show everyone what he is capable of and to prove that he belongs at the top. For the fans, a guaranteed battle that will have everyone on the edge of their seats.
Joshua is a unique fighter who has walked so many of his opponents in the ring en route to knockout victories. Dubois, a more cautious fighter, with a jab reminiscent of Sonny Liston. Both men are at important stages in their respective careers.
So why does this fight have such a big impact on the division?
World Champion:
Anthony Joshua enters this fight as a challenger. He has rebuilt himself since his last loss to Usyk on August 20, 2022 with 4 straight wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and most recently, Francis Ngannou. Joshua, aged 34, has previously struggled with the taunts by opponents that he cannot box in the technical sense of the word. A taunt he claimed was in his head when he fought Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua has steadily rebuilt himself by signing new trainer Ben Davison. This move allowed him to reposition himself for one more run on the world stage. Joshua enters this fight against Daniel Dubois as a favorite, due to his experience in big fights.
Anthony Joshua knows that winning this fight will allow him to become a three-time world champion and big fights like a trilogy against Oleksandr Usyk or the Battle of Britain fight against Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs ) will set up.
Daniel Dubois enters this fight as the self-proclaimed world champion in many people’s eyes. Although he has been elevated to full champion status by the IBF, this will be his homecoming in the eyes of the fans.
Dubois also fought Usyk, which had a controversial moment in the fight, but ended with Dubois losing.
Dubois enters this fight with not as much experience as his opponent and with more to lose. He is the younger fighter by 8 years and has not been in as many wars as his opponent. For Dubois, winning this fight will allow him to usher in a new era in the heavyweight division, especially for the future of British boxers in the division. A win here propels him to superstardom and a chance to show he belongs at the top.
Career path:
Anthony Joshua enters this fight at a stage in his career where a loss could force him out of the title picture indefinitely. At that point one would wonder if Joshua would retire. After spending 2 years rebuilding himself and changing coaches, Joshua has one last chance to show he is still the same person who united most of the division between 2016 and 2019 as a world champion.
Daniel Dubois has yet to prove himself against an elite opponent. A loss here will put him in the class of boxers who can’t hang with the “big boys” of the division. A defeat against Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk has already derailed his career twice. Although he is 26, one will continue to question how much motivation he will have at this stage after a loss.
Both boxers are at different stages of their careers. Dubois, a newly crowned world champion and Joshua, a veteran of the sport who is trying to fix his sprains and stand on top of the mountain again.
This writer draws comparisons of Joshua vs Klitschko where an aging Klitschko was broken down by the younger, more brutal fighter.
On September 21st, expect a fight where the deciding factor will not be strength or experience, but rather which fighter has the will to continue.
