Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois hit by blow as former world champion pulls out
The lineup for Anthony Joshua’s clash with Daniel Dubois has taken a huge hit, as ex-WBO light-middleweight king Liam Smith has dropped out due to illness.
Slated to duke it out with Josh Kelly in a highly-anticipated Wembley bout, the Liverpool legend was sadly sidelined by a virus. At what is shaping up as one of this year’s mega-events with a whopping 96,000 fans expected to hit up the national venue, Joshua is gunning for the IBF title in his 13th world title scrap.
But, a mere seven days ahead of the big fight night, show runners are scrambling to sort a Plan B after the Smith-Kelly matchup got canned. Smith, eager to make amends for his defeat against Chris Eubank Jr last time out, is now out of action due to illness.
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‘Beefy’ broke the news about dropping out of the match card, sharing how he’s battling ‘pain’ because the virus has him coughing up a storm. “I have a virus right now and my ribs are in good pain from all the coughing,” reports the Express.
A solid body shot would cook him on the spot, he quipped, making it clear the ring is no place for him while under the weather. He added: “So maybe it’s my personal empathy for being sick now but I think it’s a valid reason a week away.”
What do you think about Liam Smith pulling out of the bout? Let us know in the comments section
(Image: (Image: Getty))
Before the bout, Smith was sure he’d prove his naysayers wrong, hinting at a belief that he had been undervalued by onlookers. He revealed his perception of being underestimated, stating: “Josh is never going to say it because he’s not that type of person and he’s a fighter so he can’t say it.
“But it’s plain to see… Josh’s team are trying to get me at the right time,” he elaborated on the sense he got from his rival’s camp. He added: “They are looking for the name, on the stage, that gets Josh a big name.
“I’m going to show it’s a massive mistake on their behalf. Whether it’s Josh’s team or Josh himself. That’s the only thing that’s a bit frustrating on my behalf. You’re only known for your last fight.”
