Anthony Joshua insists Wembley 'pressure' will inspire him against Daniel Dubois after tense weigh-in
Anthony Joshua insisted he will “thrive” under the pressure of a Wembley showdown against Daniel Dubois on Saturday night.
The 34-year-old has been forced to rebuild his career over the last two years, after a run of three defeats in five fights, but dominant victories over Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou have helped get him back to within touching distance of the sport’s ultimate prize.
Joshua has the chance to become a three-time world champion as he challenges for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 96,000 in London.
It will be Joshua’s third time headlining at Wembley Stadium, having beaten Wladimir Klitschko in an epic encounter in 2017 and then stopped Alexander Povetkin a year later, and he is confident the big stage will result in another show-stopping performance.
“I love it, I thrive in it,” Joshua said at Friday’s weigh-in.
“[The fans] put a lot of pressure on me, but that makes me step my game up every single time. I’m coming up nearly 12 years as a professional, been fighting strong, pushing hard, working hard.”
On whether he is at a stage of his career where he can now enjoy these moments with a more reflective mindset, Joshua added: “I’m not a warrior in the garden yet.
“I’m still on the battlefield, I’m not smelling any roses yet. Just blood, fresh blood.”
Joshua was the firm crowd favourite as the fighter’s took to the scales at Trafalgar Square, and he came in just under four pounds heavier than Dubois.
Addressing the fans, Joshua said. “If I could ask you one favour, go home tonight and make a prayer for me.
“For success tomorrow, that I will become three-time heavyweight champion of the world.”
Dubois, as has been the case throughout the build-up to the bout, was more reserved in answering questions and gave little away as he prepares to make a first defence of his world title.
The 27-year-old was elevated to IBF world champion over the summer after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt in order to fight Tyson Fury for the rest of the heavyweight titles in December.
Dubois, who was beaten by Usyk last year but has since earned impressive wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, vowed to beat Joshua “by any means necessary” as he attempts to prove that he belongs at boxing’s top table.
“A lot’s gone into this,” Dubois said.
“A lot of work, a lot of training. I’m just ready to go now, the talking’s done.”