Anthony Joshua opens up on trash talk that sparked Daniel Dubois melee
Anthony Joshua has spoken out on what was said to Daniel Dubois that saw the two fighters nearly come to blows in a pre-match chat.
With just the two fighters, their promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, and a handful of security present, a behind-closed-doors face-off nearly descended into chaos in June.
Joshua threatened to throw a chair at Dubois, who was keen to get the talking over and done with and start throwing hands there and then.
Speaking about the confrontation, AJ said: "I was just basically saying 'stay in your lane'. I don't expect respect from him but I'm ready to earn my respect from him.
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois nearly clashed in June
DAZN
Joshua is bidding to become a three-time heavyweight world champion when he faces Dubois on September 21 at Wembley in front of a packed-out crowd.
Dubois, meanwhile, will look to defend his IBF title, having won the belt after knocking Filip Hrgovic out in June earlier this year after Oleksandr Usyk gave it up.
And the 27-year-old faces a stern test in AJ, who has repaired his reputation as one of the biggest names in boxing after a double-loss to Usyk, the second bout coming in August 2022.
"I've worked hard and been through a lot of pain, and I've worked hard to get better," Joshua said.
"Hopefully those experiences won't happen again because as you saw that night, I don't like losing.
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"I think I'm gifted with an ability to fight and compete.
"In boxing you're able to read certain tendencies, you're able to read your opponent, so I can always have an eye for that.
"But there's a supreme level that you can take it to. And it's happened over the past eight or 10 months. I've really honed in on those skills."
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Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois face each other on September 21
PA
Boxing heavyweight legends such as Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko have become three-time world champions during their careers and Joshua could follow suit.
He comes into the fight with high confidence, on a four-match winning streak including a brutal knockout victory over Francis Ngannou earlier this year.
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Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois face each other on September 21
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But while the 34-year-old might be the slight favourite, he is not overlooking his opponent Dubois, who is renowned for his explosive power.
"He is a good fighter, a brilliant fighter," Joshua said. "Everyone speaks highly of him.
"I think they underestimate me as well, so I will go out there and prove how good I am."