Anthony Joshua set to clash tonight at Wembley Stadium for the IBF heavyweight world title, marking a significant showdown between the two British boxers.
Dubois currently holds the IBF belt after being elevated to champion status in June, following Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to vacate the title.
Usyk, who has previously defeated both Dubois and Joshua, chose to focus on a rematch with Tyson Fury instead of fulfilling his mandatory obligations, thereby “presenting” the title opportunity to the two Brits.
Despite Dubois being the reigning champion, it is Joshua who is seen as the favorite to win in what is his first fight at Wembley in six years.
The 34-year-old former champion aims to reclaim the IBF belt and become a three-time world champion. Joshua’s journey back to the top has been one of rebuilding after a shocking loss to Andy Ruiz in 2019, followed by two consecutive defeats to Usyk.
With renewed confidence both inside and outside the ring, Joshua is on a mission to reclaim his status in the heavyweight division.
The path to this fight has seen Joshua secure victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius before decisively defeating Otto Wallin and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
His performance in these fights has showcased a return to the aggressive style that once made him the king of the heavyweight division.
Tonight’s encounter with Dubois will be his first all-British bout since his 2015 victory over Dillian Whyte, and the atmosphere at Wembley is expected to be electric, with a massive crowd of up to 96,000 in attendance.
Dubois, who lost to Usyk last year in a controversial match marred by a low-blow dispute, has since proven his resilience by overcoming Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
Those gritty performances earned him the IBF interim title and subsequently the full championship status. However, the 27-year-old faces his biggest challenge yet in defending his title against a rejuvenated Joshua.
The winner of this bout is likely to set up a unification fight against either Usyk or Fury in 2025, making this clash even more critical for both fighters.
The event, part of the Riyadh Season, is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024, with proceedings at Wembley Stadium set to begin at 4pm BST.
The main event, featuring Joshua and Dubois, is expected to start around 11pm, depending on the length of the undercard bouts.
For those looking to catch the action, the fight will be broadcast live in the UK via DAZN’s pay-per-view service, Sky Sports Box Office, and TNT Sports Box Office. DAZN is offering the event for £19.99, including a seven-day free trial to their platform.
Sky Sports and TNT Sports are charging £19.95 and £19.99, respectively, with both networks starting their coverage at 4pm.
While the exact fight purses have not been disclosed, it is reported that Dubois will earn a guaranteed £3.5 million, while Joshua is set to receive £6 million.
These figures could increase significantly depending on the success of the pay-per-view sales.
As for predictions, Joshua appears to have found his rhythm under the guidance of trainer Ben Davison. His recent performances have shown a return to a more dominant and aggressive approach in the ring.
Though Dubois has displayed courage and resilience, particularly in his fights against Usyk and Hrgovic, he will need to avoid taking as much punishment against Joshua, whose power and experience could prove decisive.
With both fighters weighing in at their heaviest yet—Dubois at 248.6lbs and Joshua at 252.5lbs—fans can expect an explosive encounter.
Joshua’s experience and resurgence in form make him the favorite to come out on top, potentially setting the stage for a blockbuster fight with Fury or a trilogy bout with Usyk in 2025.
This highly-anticipated fight promises a night of thrilling heavyweight action at Wembley Stadium, as Joshua looks to solidify his comeback and Dubois aims to defend his title on the biggest stage of his career.
