By Abu Mahmood: In boxing, legacy is essential. What do the followers bear in mind of a fighter, their accomplishments, and most significantly, how they fought every time they entered the hallowed boxing ring?
Within the heavyweight division, every punch is thrown with imply intentions. Every punch can spell recreation over for the opponent. When the mud is settled, spectators often look to see one particular person with their arms raised in triumph and the sounds of celebration across the area while within the reverse nook, a defeated challenger confronted with the considered having to make their method again up the mountain for one more likelihood at glory, fame and the title “Biggest Of All Time”.
On the twenty first of September, we are going to see two warriors of the division conflict in a combat that may have an effect on the remainder 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 prospect to name himself a three-time world champion and to arrange a 3rd likelihood to attempt to take down the enigmatic and elusive ring common that’s Oleksandr Usyk (22-0-0, 14 KOs).
Daniel Dubois faces his greatest problem but in Anthony Joshua. Dubois was elevated to the standing of world champion on the twenty sixth of June. For a lot of, this problem will solidify his declare to the title “world champion” while additionally permitting him to doubtlessly proper the unsuitable he believes occurred in his combat towards Oleksandr Usyk.
For Joshua, an opportunity to grow to be world champion as soon as extra and problem Usyk for the title of undisputed. For Dubois, an opportunity to indicate everybody what he’s able to and to show that he belongs on the prime. For the followers, a assured combat that may have everybody on the sting of their seats.
Joshua is a singular fighter who has walked down so lots of his opponents within the ring en path to knockout victories. Dubois, a extra cautious fighter, with a jab paying homage to Sonny Liston. Each males are at important phases of their respective careers.
So why does this combat have such a big effect on the division?
World champion:
Anthony Joshua enters this combat as a challenger. He has rebuilt himself since his final loss to Usyk on the twentieth of August, 2022 with 4 straight wins over Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and most just lately, Francis Ngannou. Joshua, aged 34, has struggled beforehand with the taunts by rivals that he can not field within the technical sense of the phrase. A taunt he claimed was in his head when he fought Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua has rebuilt himself systematically linking up with a brand new coach Ben Davison. This transfer has allowed him to realign himself for yet one more run on the world stage. Joshua enters this combat towards Daniel Dubois as a favourite, owing to his expertise in large fights.
Anthony Joshua is aware of that successful this combat will permit him to grow to be a three-time world champion and arrange large fights corresponding to a trilogy towards Oleksandr Usyk or the Battle of Britain combat towards Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs)
Daniel Dubois enters this combat because the self-proclaimed world champion in many individuals’s eyes. Though he was elevated to full champion standing by the IBF, this will likely be his homecoming within the eyes of the followers.
Dubois fought towards Usyk as effectively, which had a controversial second within the combat however ended with Dubois shedding.
Dubois enters this combat with not as a lot expertise as his opponent and with extra to lose. He’s the youthful fighter by 8 years and has not been in as many wars as his opponent. For Dubois, successful this combat will permit him to deliver a brand new period into the heavyweight division, particularly for the way forward for British boxers within the division. A win right here propels him into superstardom and an opportunity to indicate he belongs on the prime.
Profession trajectory:
Anthony Joshua goes into this combat at a stage in his profession the place a loss can drive him out of the title image indefinitely. At that time, one would surprise if Joshua would retire. After spending 2 years rebuilding himself and altering trainers, Joshua has one final likelihood to indicate he’s nonetheless the identical one who unified a lot of the division between 2016 and 2019 as a world champion.
Daniel Dubois has nonetheless but to show himself towards an elite opponent. A loss right here would place him into the category of boxers who can not cling with the “large boys” of the division. A loss towards Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk has already de-railed his profession twice. Though he’s 26, one would go on to query how a lot motivation he would have after a loss at this stage.
Each boxers are at totally different phases of their profession. Dubois, a newly topped world champ and Joshua, a veteran of the game searching for to proper his wrings and stand on the prime of the mountain as soon as once more.
This author attracts comparisons from Joshua vs Klitschko the place an ageing Klitschko was damaged down by the youthful, extra brutal fighter.
On the twenty first of September, anticipate a combat the place the deciding issue will likely be not energy or expertise however as an alternative, which fighter has the need to hold on.
