Daniel Dubois has admitted he is willing to risk referee punishment to beat Anthony Joshua.
Dubois is looking to defend his IBF heavyweight crown at the first time of asking against British rival Joshua at Wembley Stadium tomorrow night.
It is likely to be a battle of attrition with both fighters known for their formidable punch power and front-foot approach.
But ‘Dynamite’ has even revealed he is willing to go one step further to pick up the victory, by toeing the line of breaking the rules.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Dubois said.
“Do you know what I mean? If it means rushing in, [a] dog fight, headbutts.
“Everything, you know? Anything to win and retain my belt.”
The British heavyweight has formed a spiky rivalry with AJ in recent weeks since the fight was announced, and it is no surprised he wants to test the limits.
Dubois has previously broken the rules but in controversial fashion, as he landed a contentious ‘low blow’ on Oleksandr Usyk which dropped him to the canvas.
Usyk was given time to recover and Dubois eventually lost being stopped himself, but was left far from satisfied with the decision.
He was also involved in a back and forth physical battle with Filip Hrgovic in his last fight, but prevailed and had his hand raised.
But Joshua is likely to pose a huge threat, and goes into the contest as the favourite to clinch the title.
Despite Dubois’ potential ploy, Frazer Clarke, who has sparred both men, expects AJ to get the edge despite the champion’s formidable hitting.
“It’s a really competitive, good fight. I still have AJ as favourite,” he told talkSPORT.
“But I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, if [Dubois] is not the heaviest puncher I’ve been in with, he’s probably in the top three or four. He can really whack.
“It’s a different kind of punch. I think on a single shot, probably Joshua [hits harder] just cause it comes with a bit more speed.
“As heavy-handed as Dubois is and as good a fighter as he’s becoming, I still have to go for Joshua.
“That’s through no favouritism but my professional opinion that the experiences of Joshua and the magnitude of the fight is something which is a lot more normal to AJ than it is to Dubois.”
It is high stakes with Joshua looking to become a three-time heavyweight world champion brushing shoulders with greats such as Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield if he completes the feat.
The winner of the clash could also receive a huge opportunity to become undisputed champion as they will likely be matched up with the winner of Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury.
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News Summary:
- Daniel Dubois admits he is ready to break rules with tactics in Anthony Joshua fight
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