Teddy Atlas says IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois can win his title defense against the more experienced but older Anthony Joshua if he believes it is his “destiny” on Saturday night in London.
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) looked nervous during Thuraday’s final press conference. You could tell he was doing his best to put on a false front to look brave, but his acting skills couldn’t disguise his fear.
Joshua knows this is the best fighter he has ever faced during his 11-year professional career, and it has come at the worst time for him. He will turn 35 in October, and he needs this win to go into his fight with Tyson Fury on a positive note.
The last four weak opponents that Joshua has fought have not prepared him for this moment to fight a tough and younger fighter like Dubois. AJ’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, was trying to help him stay on top, but his good intentions may backfire in this fight because he was stunted.
“What’s stronger? A big right hand from a two-time heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medal from Joshua (or Dubois’ self-belief). That’s what this fight comes down to,” Teddy Atlas told Boxing King Media on the fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.
Joshua has looked no different in his recent fights since Ben Davison took over as his trainer than he did before. Promoter Eddie Hearn moved Joshua up against lesser fighters to rebuild his confidence, and stuck with him for four fights instead of just one or two.
Hearn’s decision to have Joshua take four confidants suggested he had concerns. Promoters don’t do that with fighters unless they have deep concerns. He had some serious concerns, and he should have after the way Joshua fell mentally against Oleksandr Usyk in their 2022 rematch.
“If he (Dubois) gets hit with the right hand like he did against Hrgovic, he’s going to need that 2.0 will,” Atlas said. “He will need it and show the world that will is stronger than skill. That will is stronger than a big right hand. That’s how you win the fight.”
Dubois hasn’t been hit with anyone who has Joshua’s power, but it might not matter. He seems to want to win this fight, and believes in himself after his string of impressive performances.
“Hopefully, he’s improved on the field, and his defense is better,” Atlas said. “But what it really comes down to is his will against Joshua’s ability. If he has in his head that it is his destiny (Dubois) to win this fight. If Dubois believes that it is his destiny to win this fight, it’s as dangerous as any punch in the book.
Joshua, 34, doesn’t have the youth or stamina to enter a war with Dubois on Saturday night. His best bet to win is if Dubois fights tentatively, tries to box and doesn’t push a fast pace. If Dubois fights like Joshua’s last four opponents, fighting at a slow pace, AJ can win from him with a big shot.
“Dubois’ improvements have been in the mental side where he doesn’t fight anymore and gives in. His improvement is that he believes in himself. That’s his improvement. Joshua has been great. With Joshua, it’s his technique. He’s in a good place,” Atas said.
Joshua saw good, but these are the tomato milks he saw good:
Francis Ngannou
– Otto Wallin
– Robert Helenius
– Jermaine Franklin
Franklin is the only one of the four who is a real contender. When Hearn picked him, he was a bottom-level fighter coming off a loss to Dillian Whyte.
“Dubois’ improvements have not been in the technical sense. His improvement is that he can behave like a fighter when the moment comes. The power of a Hrgovic right hand versus the power of a Joshua right hand they’re not in the same ballpark. Joshua’s right hand is much more dangerous,” Atlas said.
Even if Dubois gets hit by Joshua as often as he did against Hrgovic, he can still win if he can handle the power. If Joshua can’t knock out Dubois in three or four rounds, he’s going to be exhausted, and he’s going to get crushed by the hard punches he’s getting.
Hrgovic took a lot of heavy shots in the early rounds from Dubois, and although he landed a lot of good punches, he was worn down. Joshua can’t take Hrgovic’s punches from Dubois without being stopped early in the contest, maybe as soon as the third.
