Power, poise and precision: Where Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois might be won or lost

By Oscar Decide

THE component of shock was considerably misplaced with the announcement that Anthony Joshua will face Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on September 21.

In a way, Wednesday’s press convention merely confirmed what everybody had already suspected – that the pair will headline a Riyadh Season occasion for Dubois’ IBF world heavyweight title (that was swiftly elevated from interim to full model simply in time).

Past the preliminary trinket, although, this is a chance for Joshua to get payback on his home rival, who claims to have dropped the 34-year-old in sparring.

The hearsay unfold like wildfire in 2017, when Frank Warren signed Dubois, who was simply 18 years outdated on the time.

Clearly, quite a bit has modified since then, with the 2 Brits exhibiting vital indicators of enchancment in latest performances. 

What’s extra, the stakes for his or her post-summer sizzler are tremendously excessive, because the winner is about to position himself subsequent in line for an undisputed showdown.

Till the IBF twist, all 4 belts had been occupied by Oleksandr Usyk following his sensational victory over Tyson Fury final month. 

Nevertheless, with a rematch earmarked for later this 12 months, there could possibly be an all-British heavyweight title dust-up to stay up for.

However first, earlier than we get too forward of ourselves, let’s think about the keys to victory for Joshua and Dubois, who each look to take away any doubt that they’re the rightful contender for Usyk’s crown.

Anthony Joshua’s keys to victory

Management the vary along with his jab

Since linking up with coach Ben Davison, Joshua has developed a extra authoritative jab that he makes use of to tee up his thudding proper hand. In opposition to Dubois, he’ll little doubt look to ascertain this weapon from the opening spherical, avoiding any mid-to-short-range exchanges – that’s till he has discovered his rhythm by boxing on the surface. 

Along with his jab firing, Joshua can command extra management over the gap from which he launches his assaults. Various the vary, as and when it fits him, will depart Dubois second guessing whether or not or not he’s out of hurt’s method, giving Joshua loads of openings to step inside the place he can land hooks and uppercuts. 

Utilise his footwork 

One other facet of Joshua’s recreation, which has led to him changing into a extra full fighter, is his footwork. His superior mobility was showcased in opposition to Otto Wallin final December when, earlier than scoring a fifth-round stoppage victory, the two-time world heavyweight champion created angles to not solely land his photographs but additionally discover exits out of the pocket.

With Dubois, at occasions, demonstrating much less of an impetus to shift his ft out of vary – a weak point that Usyk uncovered within the ninth spherical of their contest final 12 months – Joshua is prone to be offered ample alternatives to pivot round his extra static opponent, stepping from left to proper whereas touchdown hurtful counters.

Declare the centre of the ring 

Spatial consciousness ought to at all times be a key a part of any fighter’s recreation plan however, for Joshua, it’s completely central to his type. Figuring out that he can take just a few steps again with out being pressed up in opposition to the ropes is finally what is going to encourage confidence when finishing up his techniques. 

For his jab and footwork to be efficient, Joshua wants time, however extra importantly, area, to set traps for his opponent. In any other case, if he’s compelled onto the again foot – along with his motion across the ring severely restricted –  then any bodily benefits over Dubois may as effectively simply be stats on a web page.

Daniel Dubois’ keys to victory

Disrupt Joshua’s rhythm

Developing in opposition to a extra skilled operator, who has added a number of new strings to his bow, is rarely a straightforward process. For Dubois to get a foothold on this combat, he should unleash his explosive flurries throughout perceived durations of inactivity, stopping Joshua from establishing his movement. 

There are sometimes telltale indicators for when a fighter is about to throw a shot; they may reveal an idiosyncratic behaviour of types – maybe by wiping their nostril or tapping their shorts – earlier than initiating an alternate. If he is ready to establish Joshua’s idiosyncrasies, Dubois can then capitalise on them by timing his assaults accordingly. 

Be first to the punch

By being first to the punch, Dubois will keep away from falling sufferer to any traps set by Joshua. The previous WBA ‘common’ champion was conscious of this in his final combat in opposition to Filip Hrgovic, who he was capable of land cleanly on by main with a wide range of photographs. 

Nevertheless, in opposition to Joshua, somebody with the next boxing IQ, Dubois will have to be extra measured in his strategy. When placing his techniques into motion, it can be crucial for him to throw loads of feints in order that, after drawing out a lead from Joshua, he can then reply with extra impactful counters.

Keep his psychological resolve 

After being labelled a quitter following his tenth-round stoppage defeat to Joe Joyce in 2020, Dubois has confirmed that he does, in truth, have the power to dig deep in fights. In his final two performances – in opposition to Jarrell Miller and Hrgovic – he illustrated an unwavering winners’ mentality by weathering some torrid moments earlier than producing an emphatic end on each events. 

That is the place Don Charles and Kieran Farrell – his newly-formed coaching crew – have made probably the most notable distinction. By offering clear directions and, when obligatory, a well mannered kick up the bottom, Dubois’ nook will probably be instrumental for when he faces Joshua who, judging by his latest outings, could look to finish the combat inside the gap. 

Daniel Dubois breaks the need of Jarrell Miller throughout their heavyweight combat at Kingdom Enviornment on December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Richard Pelham/Getty Pictures)