Daniel Dubois has vowed to drag Anthony Joshua into the trenches at Wembley on Saturday in the belief he has timed his showdown with his British rival to perfection.
Days after Joshua declared he is "willing to die" in the ring in his pursuit of becoming a three-rime world heavyweight champion, IBF king Dubois insists his more experienced opponent is vulnerable under fire.
It is a belief based on the cautious style adopted by Joshua since his seismic upset by Andy Ruiz in 2019 when he was knocked down four times and, while he avenged that loss, he was subsequently beaten twice by Oleksandr Usyk.
Only in his last two fights – wins against Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou overseen by new trainer Ben Davison – has he started to snarl again but Dubois senses a weakness to be exploited still exists.
"I need to take him back to that dark place and make him uncomfortable in there, make him break down in the ring. That's what I plan to do. He’s right for the taking now," Dubois said.
"I’m on the rise, I’ve got the momentum on my side. No more words – just fighting, punches. I’m ready to fight and destroy. Destroy."
Dubois has been forced to heal his own ring-induced trauma after taking a knee against Joe Joyce in 2020, a decision that saw him labelled a quitter even though he had sustained a fractured left eye socket.
For some, further reputational damage was done when the 27-year-old Londoner was also counted out in the ninth round after being floored with a jab by Usyk (above) last year.
But, like Joshua, he has rebuilt with hard-fought victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic before securing the IBF belt when Usyk vacated in June in order to set-up a rematch with Tyson Fury.
"The last two fights were my redemption. This is about planting a flag – moving forward as a world champion. I’m just a hungry young lion right now," Dubois said.
"I’m there to take the respect, you know. In boxing there’s no respect and I’m ready take it, retain my belt and still be world champion."
Joshua is a heavy favourite to claim his fifth win in as many appearances at Wembley, but promoter Frank Warren believes the British rivals’ recent records tip significantly in Dubois’ favour.
"Daniel’s fought much better quality opposition in his last few fights, no doubt about that," Queensberry boss Warren said.
"He’s been the underdog in every one of those fights and he’s come through them and done what he’s had to do. The man who’s got all the pressure in him is AJ. He’s going into this as a favourite, according to a lot of people.
"He’s the one who can’t afford to lose this fight because he’s 34 years old. If he loses this fight what happens?
"I don’t believe Daniel will lose. Daniel is a bigger puncher and his jabs are more meaningful jabs. Each jab is an offensive jab whereas you look at AJ’s jabs, he tries to line you up with a jab.
"I want to see AJ throw those bombs because when he throws them he is exposed to the counter."
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