Daniel Dubois has been given hope of beating Anthony Joshua if he uses his jab.
Dubois and Joshua will square off in a titanic heavyweight tussle at Wembley Stadium next weekend, with the former’s IBF world title on the line.
Joshua is the favourite to edge past Dubois in their fiery clashMark Robinson/Matchroom
Joshua is considered the bookies’ favourite given his pedigree at world level and current form under trainer Ben Davison, but Dubois is certainly a real threat.
And boxing analyst Richie Woodhall believes Dubois’ jab could cause Joshua problems, which he went on to label as the ‘best in the division’.
“This isn’t just a normal jab,” said Woodhall on a TNT Sports preview. “It’s probably as hard as a lot of heavyweights’ right hands. This is how hard this shot is.
“Daniel Dubois’ jab is the best jab in the heavyweight division today by far, his timing, his accuracy.
“Most of the time, the jab is used as a point scorer to set up the backhand. But Daniel’s jab, it’s a hurtful punch. It’s not just a point scorer.
“You’ve got to concentrate. It’s all about concentration. That’s why a very fast jab is a hard jab to defend against because you don’t know when it’s coming.
“If Daniel is going to win the fight, the jab is going to play a major role in him getting a victory, a major role, because it will set up all his other work.”
Woodhall did go on to add that he believes Joshua will get the stoppage inside the middle rounds.
“For me, I actually think AJ will win this fight, I am sorry to say for Daniel Dubois,” he continued.
“I think he gets knocked out, and I think he gets knocked out mid-rounds.
Dubois has shown he has dynamite behind his jabMark Robinson/Matchroom
“I think he will do well with his jab, but I think AJ will catch him with that right hand.
“So I am going AJ knockout.”
It is a huge opportunity for Dubois to make a statement, just months after beating Filip Hrgovic in a war in June.
A win for ‘Dynamite’ could see him fight the winner of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury which takes place in December.
The pair have already sparred and bystanders have claimed that Dubois got the better of his rival.
But Joshua has firmly denied those claims, and is focused on delivering another spectacular display in front of a record crowd.
AJ has his own ambitions of securing big fights in 2025, and a win against Dubois will see him become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
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