Thu Sep 12 13:20:52 UTC 2024: ## Joshua vs. Dubois: Hearn Plays Down Sparring Session Rumors Ahead of Wembley Clash
With just nine days to go before Anthony Joshua challenges Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has dismissed rumors of a sparring session from eight years ago that saw Dubois allegedly wobble Joshua.
The sparring session, which reportedly took place during Joshua’s training camp in the lead-up to his first world title shot, has been a subject of much discussion. Anthony Fowler, a fellow Team GB member who was present, claims that Dubois landed a heavy shot that left Joshua on the verge of being knocked out. However, Dubois reportedly stopped the sparring out of respect for his older peer.
Hearn, however, maintains that the stories have been exaggerated. “What I heard and what everyone was telling everyone was that AJ got carried out the ring unconscious,” he said sarcastically. “That’s changed quite a lot to ‘he got buzzed by a shot, was out on his feet but they carried on sparring.'”
He pointed out that sparring sessions are stopped when fighters get injured. “The only thing I heard was that AJ got knocked out cold, and obviously we knew that wasn’t the case at all.”
Regardless of the truth behind the rumors, Hearn acknowledges that Joshua faces a dangerous opponent in Dubois. “This is a f****** war,” he said. “This is a tough fight, and we are up for it. AJ is up for it, and he knows in his head that this will be a tough fight.”
Dubois, a 3/1 underdog, is seen as a significant threat. “He is young, has plenty of spirit, is fit, and is in his absolute prime,” Hearn said. “He is a handful. I don’t know why people need to build a case for him, he is a good fighter.”
Joshua, who is favored to win the fight, is reportedly excited and well-prepared for the challenge. “I was with AJ in camp on Friday, and he is excited,” said Hearn. “He knows Dubois and rates him.”
The winner of the Joshua vs. Dubois fight is likely to face the winner of Tyson Fury’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world championship.
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