Teddy Atlas says IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois can win his title protection in opposition to the extra skilled however older Anthony Joshua if he believes it’s his “future” on Saturday evening in London.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) appeared nervous throughout Thuraday’s ultimate press convention. You possibly can inform he was attempting his finest to placed on a false entrance to look courageous, however his performing expertise couldn’t disguise his concern.
Joshua is aware of that is the very best fighter he’s ever confronted throughout his 11-year skilled profession, and it’s come on the worst time for him. He’s about to show 35 in October, and he wants this win to enter his combat with Tyson Fury on a optimistic observe.
The final 4 weak opponents that Joshua has fought haven’t ready him for this second to combat a troublesome, youthful fighter like Dubois. AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, was attempting to assist him keep on prime, however his good intentions might backfire for this combat as a result of he’s been stunted.
“What’s stronger? An amazing proper hand by a two-time heavyweight champ and an Olympic gold medalist of Joshua [or the self-belief of Dubois]. That’s what this combat comes all the way down to,” stated Teddy Atlas to Boxing King Media in regards to the combat between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has appeared no totally different in his current fights since Ben Davison took over as his coach than he did earlier. Promoter Eddie Hearn moved Joshua in opposition to lesser fighters to rebuild his confidence, and he caught with it for 4 fights as an alternative of only one or two.
Hearn’s choice to have Joshua take 4 confidence-builders means that he had worries. Promoters don’t try this with fighters except they’ve deep considerations. He had some critical worries, and he ought to have after the best way Joshua mentally fell aside in opposition to Oleksandr Usyk of their rematch in 2022.
“If he [Dubois] will get hit with proper arms like he did in opposition to Hrgovic, he’s going to wish that can 2.0,” stated Atlas. “He’s going to wish that and present the world that can is stronger than talent. That may is stronger than a fantastic proper hand. That’s how he wins the combat.”
Dubois hasn’t been hit with anybody that has Joshua’s energy, but it surely won’t matter. He appears to wish to win this combat, and is believing in himself after his string of spectacular performances.
“Hopefully, he’s improved in camp, and his protection has gotten higher,” stated Atlas. “However what it’s actually going to come back all the way down to is the need of him in opposition to the talent of Joshua. If he has it in his head that it’s his [Dubois] future to win this combat. If Dubois believes that it’s his future to win this combat, that’s as harmful as any punch within the ebook.”
Joshua, 34, doesn’t possess the youth or the stamina to get in a battle with Dubois on Saturday evening. His finest guess for profitable is that if Dubois fights tentatively, attempting to field and never pushing a quick tempo. If Dubois fights like Joshua’s final 4 opponents, combating at a gradual tempo, AJ can win by setting him up for a giant shot.
“Dubois’ enhancements have been on the psychological aspect the place he doesn’t beat himself no extra and provides in. His enchancment is he believes in himself. That’s his enchancment. Joshua has been wanting nice. With Joshua, it’s his method. It’s in place,” stated Atas.
Joshua has appeared good, however these are the tomato cans that he’s appeared good in opposition to:
– Francis Ngannou
– Otto Wallin
– Robert Helenius
– Jermaine Franklin
Franklin is the one one of many 4 who’s a real contender. When Hearn picked him, he was a backside fringe-level fighter coming off a loss to Dillian Whyte.
“Dubois’ enhancements haven’t been within the technical sense. His enchancment is he can behave like a fighter when the second comes. The facility of a Hrgovic proper hand vs. the ability of a Joshua proper hand they’re not in the identical ballpark. Joshua’s proper hand is rather more harmful,” stated Atlas.
Even when Dubois does get hit by Joshua after continuously as he did in opposition to Hrgovic, he can nonetheless win if he can deal with the ability. If Joshua can’t knock Dubois out inside three or 4 rounds, he’s going to be exhausted, and he’ll crumble from the exhausting punches he’s getting hit with.
Hrgovic took a number of heavy photographs within the early rounds from Dubois, and though he landed a number of good punches, he was getting worn down. Joshua can’t take Hrgovic’s punches from Dubois with out getting stopped early within the contest, maybe as quickly because the third.
