Joshua warns Dubois he is ‘keen to die’ in his bid to beat him

Anthony Joshua has warned Daniel Dubois that he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice this Saturday night in his bid to join the elite company of three-time world heavyweight champions.

As he prepares to challenge his English compatriot for the IBF title at Wembley Stadium, Joshua says: ‘Dan is fighting someone who is willing to die in there trying to be victorious.’

Asked for an insight into his readiness to take the huge risks involved when engaging in hand-to-hand combat with another massive puncher, Joshua adds: ‘Of course I know the danger. That is one thing with fighting.

‘But let me tell you I’ve learned that it takes more being strong to become a champion and a complete boxer. I truly believe from what I’ve studied and read and what great people who have come before me have said that there is much more to it than being a physical specimen.

‘That is a good attribute but when you come across someone who is willing to take that from you, when they are able to take your best shot, that is when you figure out what it takes to be a champion. I’ve done that. I’ve been to the well.’

Anthony Joshua (left) will challenge Daniel Dubois (right) for the IBF title this Saturday 

The two Englishmen will face each other at Wembley – and AJ has issue Dubois a warning

Joshua looked relaxed as he attended the ceremonial grand arrivals for the fight in London

The inference is that the experience of all those survivals will count for more than the seven years in age he is giving away to the 27-year-old Dubois.

Joshua is motivated also by the gulf in emotions between victory in defeat. The giant who wept in the moment of his second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk, then the first undisputed world heavyweight champion for more than a decade, explains: ‘When you lose it hurts. You get low and it takes a few weeks to get balanced back. Time is the healer. When you win you’re on a high, riding that wave.’

Joshua is looking to join the elite company of three-time world heavyweight champions should he beat Dubois in their grudge match

He revelled in the latter after his knock-out victory over UFC legend Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. Yet he still went through his usual, humble ritual the morning after. 

He says: ‘It’s crazy but when I wake up on Sunday it’s always the same. The bills still come out of your account and you’ve still got to do your washing. I was staying in an Air BnB in Saudi and there I was next morning doing the washing and ironing.’

Joshua is aware that each fight makes ‘its own moment.’ He expands on that: ‘I have to draw a line under everything I’ve done in the past. I can’t take that into the ring with me on Saturday night. 

‘I don’t want anything from Dan other than a punch. I don’t want his respect for what I’ve achieved or anything else from him. If I want his respect I have to earn it.’

What he does carry out before a record crowd expected to surpass 96,000 at Wembley Stadium is his two reigns as a world holder. Consequently, if he wins this weekend he will join Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitchsko and Michael Moorer in the pantheon of three-time world heavyweight champions.

Joshua has warned Dubois he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in his bid to beat him

He would also open the golden Riyadh Season gateway to another Battle of Britain, against Tyson Fury whether or not the Gypsy King wins his December rematch against Usyk.

All the more reasons why he reiterates: ‘I will give absolutely everything to be victorious.’

Dubois v Joshua for the IBF world heavyweight title will be televised live this Saturday night on TNT Sports Box Office, Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN pay-per-view