Dubois slams table & refuses to engage with rival Joshua

Daniel Dubois slammed nan array successful mild vexation and refused to prosecute pinch Anthony Joshua arsenic nan 2 British heavyweights met successful an understated news convention successful London.

The brace will conflict successful beforehand of a reported post-war British grounds crowd of 96,000 astatine Wembley Stadium connected Saturday.

Dubois won nan interim IBF title successful June and was elevated to world champion position erstwhile Oleksandr Usyk vacated.

"I request to clasp this world title," he said. "It's a awesome point to person but I request to legitimise myself by winning this fight."

The 27-year-old appeared eager for nan news convention to end, while nan conversational Joshua, 34, remained focused and respectful towards his opponent.

When discussions turned to a sparring convention respective years ago, wherever Dubois supposedly rocked Joshua, nan champion said: "It was sparring, now we're fighting, this is different."

Dubois added: "Move on", earlier banging connected nan woody table.

The news convention was held astatine nan grandeur Guildhall, a people 1 listed building making love backmost to nan 15th century.

Olympic golden medallist Joshua has nan opportunity to subordinate legends Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko arsenic a three-time champion.

He was asked astir nan confrontation successful June erstwhile he felt disrespected by Dubois and threatened to propulsion a chair crossed nan champion's face.

"You should ne'er fto anyone return an inch because they'll extremity up taking a mile," replied Joshua. "You cognize what I mean Dan?"

But Dubois, vacantly, replied: "Sorry?"

The Londoner did, though, speak to reside rumours surrounding his trainer Don Charles, who has not yet been seen successful conflict week.

"As agelong arsenic he's successful my area connected conflict night, I'm alright," added Dubois. "Everything is good."

Joshua mislaid his belts to Usyk successful 2021 and was defeated by nan Ukrainian successful nan rematch nan pursuing year. He has since worked his measurement backmost to nan mandatory challenger position pinch 4 ascendant wins.

Joshua, who will header a British stadium for a sixth time, said he has been looking astatine immoderate of his past fights successful nan state arsenic motivation.

"It's bully to beryllium back," he added. "I'm fresh to rumble and punctual everyone what I'm tin of."

Guildhall's Great Hall, pinch its arched ceiling, stained-glass windows and statues of past Lord Mayors, provided a breathtaking venue.

The card is being tally by nan influential and energy-rich Saudi Arabian organisers and is nan latest illustration of their growing, and controversial, power connected nan sport.

Already this week location has been a Hollywood premiere-type expansive arrivals arena astatine a Leicester Square cinema and Wembley Arena was transformed into a makeshift Buckingham Palace for nan unfastened workouts.

Yet nan news convention did not rather lucifer nan surroundings aliases nan hype. Dubois has ne'er been nan top talker but, moreover by his standards, this was a muted affair.

Perhaps he is conscionable successful nan zone. Dubois needs a triumph complete Joshua to supply a crowning infinitesimal and coronation arsenic world champion.

For Joshua, this is nan culmination of his rebuild ever since nan Usyk nonaccomplishment and admitted recapturing nan world title provides his top motivation.

He appears successful bully spirits, and a happy combatant is simply a vulnerable fighter. But nan unit is on.

Defeat connected Saturday will time off his profession successful uncertain territory erstwhile more.