'Gladiator' Joshua heavier than Dubois at weigh-in

Anthony Joshua said he is "still successful nan battlefield" and quashed immoderate proposal of nearing nan extremity of his profession arsenic nan Briton weighed successful heaviest for Saturday's world-title situation against Daniel Dubois

Two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua, 34, takes connected Dubois, 27, for nan IBF loop astatine Wembley Stadium connected Saturday.

Joshua tipped nan scales astatine 18st during an elaborate weigh-in astatine Trafalgar Square, pinch Dubois astatine a career-heavy 17st 10lb.

"I look astatine myself arsenic a gladiator and I'm going to measurement into nan arena tomorrow to execute for nan people," Joshua said.

"I started precocious successful boxing but it shows you tin execute anything. I'm not a warrior successful nan plot yet, I'm still connected nan battlefield."

The cardinal London landmark was cordoned disconnected for arguably Britain's astir royal conflict week location ever.

Double decker buses and achromatic cabs provided nan backdrop, pinch Nelson's Column towering down a shape placed betwixt nan 2 iconic fountains.

Greenwich-born Dubois - conscionable arsenic he was astatine Thursday's news conference - kept his words to a minimum.

"I'm fresh to fight," he repeated 3 times.

The world title conflict will beryllium broadcast unrecorded from 19:00 BST connected BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

Traditionally, nan champion would weigh-in first, but specified is nan lure of family sanction Joshua, he was 2nd to make his measurement out.

There was a respectful but quiet reception for Dubois, who was upgraded from 'interim' to world champion aft Oleksandr Usyk vacated nan IBF belt.

While galore felt Dubois whitethorn travel successful lighter, he weighed 4 pounds heavier than his erstwhile bout – an awesome stoppage triumph complete Filip Hrgovic.

Joshua - who besides weighed 18st for his destructive knockout of Francis Ngannou successful March - has been successful request passim nan week, signing autographs and obliging pinch selfie requests pinch fans.

"I want to convey you for sticking pinch maine done heavy and thin," he told nan hundreds of fans who chanted his name.

"f I tin inquire 1 favour, spell location coming and believe for my occurrence tomorrow and that I go a three-time champion of nan world."

The arena has been organised by Turki Alalshikh, president of Saudi Arabia's wide intermezo authority.

Alalshikh says each 96,000 tickets person now been sold, eclipsing nan 94,000 attendance for Tyson Fury v Dillian Whyte successful 2022.

In a clear motion of nan Kingdom's increasing power connected nan sport, conflict week festivities were rounded disconnected by yet different quintessential British setting.

Earlier successful nan week, location was a Hollywood reddish carpet-style expansive arrivals arena successful Leicester Square and Wembley Arena was transformed into Buckingham Palace for nan unfastened workouts. Thursday's news convention was held successful Guildhall, a 15th period governmental building steeped successful history.

There will beryllium a capacity from Liam Gallagher connected Saturday, pinch Oasis fans hoping of an improbable quality by relative Noel.

Most importantly, though, nan champion intermezo should hap successful nan ring.

Joshua boasts 25 knockouts successful 28 wins and Dubois has stopped 20 successful 21 victories. This is astir apt nan closest you will get to a guaranteed knockout.