Teddy Atlas says IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois can win his title from veteran but aging Anthony Joshua if he believes it is his “destiny” on Saturday night in London.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) looked nervous during Thursday’s press conference. You could tell he was trying his best to appear brave, but his acting skills couldn’t hide his fear.
Joshua knows this is the best fighter he has faced in his 11 year career, and it has come at a very bad time for him. He will turn 35 in October, and needs this win to go into his fight with Tyson Fury on a positive note.
The last four weak opponents Joshua has fought have not prepared him for this moment against a strong, young fighter like Dubois. AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has been trying to help him stay on top, but his good intentions may cost him this fight because he is standing.
“What is powerful? A big right hand from two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist Joshua [or the self-belief of Dubois]. That’s what came of this fight,” said Teddy Atlas speaking to Boxing King Media about the fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has looked different in his recent fights since Ben Davison took over as trainer. Promoter Eddie Hearn pushed Joshua to fight younger fighters to rebuild his confidence, and he stuck with it for four fights instead of one or two.
Hearn’s decision to have Joshua take four confidence builders shows he was worried. Promoters don’t do that with fighters unless they have serious concerns. He had serious concerns, and he should have after the way Joshua fell apart mentally against Oleksandr Usyk in their 2022 rematch.
“If he [Dubois] he gets hit with right hands like he did to Hrgovic, he’s going to need what 2.0 is going to do,” said Atlas. “He will need that and show the world that he is stronger than talented. That will is stronger than a big right hand. That’s how you win the war.”
Dubois has never been beaten by anyone with Joshua’s strength, but it may not matter. He seems to want to win this fight, and he believes in himself after a series of impressive performances.
“I hope he is better in the camp, and his defense is better,” said Atlas. “But what it will come down to is his will versus Joshua’s ability. If he has it in his head that it is his [Dubois] the future of winning this war. If Dubois believes it’s his destiny to win this fight, that’s as dangerous as any punch in the book.”
Joshua, 34, doesn’t have the youth or energy to fight Dubois on Saturday night. His best bet for winning is if Dubois fights slow, tries to punch and not push a fast pace. If Dubois fights like Joshua’s last four, fighting less, AJ can win by setting him up for a big shot.
“Dubois’ development was on the mental side where he stopped beating himself up and giving up. His development is that he believes in himself. That’s his development. Joshua has always looked good. With Joshua, it’s his way. It is in a good location,” said Atas.
Joshua looked great, but these are the tomato cans he looks great in:
– Francis Ngannou
– Otto Wallin
– Robert Helenius
– Jermaine Franklin
Franklin is the only one of the four who is a true competitor. When Hearn picked him, he was an underdog who lost to Dillian Whyte.
“Dubois’ development was not in the technical sense. His development is that he can behave like a fighter when the time comes. Hrgovic’s right hand power versus Joshua’s right hand power is not on the same ball field. “Joshua’s right hand is very dangerous,” said Atlas.
Even if Dubois gets hit from behind by Joshua as often as he did against Hrgovic, he can still win if he can handle the power. If Joshua can’t knock Dubois out within three or four rounds, he’s going to be tired, and he’s going to pass out from the heavy punches he’s getting.
Hrgovic took a lot of hard shots in the early rounds from Dubois, and although he landed a lot of good punches, he was starting to tire. Joshua won’t be able to take Hrgovic’s punches from Dubois without a stoppage before the contest, probably just after the third.
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