Joshua vs. Dubois: Who is the Favorite?

On June 26, a press conference will be held by Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn and the head of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, to announce the next opponent for Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs). The fight is tentatively scheduled for September 21 at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, with the likely opponent being interim IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs).

Speculation about this fight has been fueled by the fact that a UK ticket operator announced "the great British fight at Wembley" - Joshua vs. Dubois - a week ago.

The boxing world is buzzing with discussions about this potential megafight. Former Joshua opponent and interim WBO champion Joseph Parker (35-3, 23 KOs), who was also considered a potential opponent, believes Joshua is the favorite.

"If you compare these two guys, their fighting styles, and the power they’ve shown, Joshua looks like the favorite. I'm sure everyone will agree with that, but you can never count Dubois out, as many did in the fight against Hrgovic. I considered Filip the favorite and was very wrong. So, I give him a chance, but Joshua will be the favorite," Parker told Seconds Out.

British trainer Jamie Moore shared his view that Dubois has learned from his losses, but Joshua is in peak form.

"It's a great fight. Dubois surprised against Hrgovic. He's still a young fighter, learning from his losses. I've heard for years that you can't teach a fighter toughness, only show them how to adapt, be braver. And that's exactly what Dubois did – he learned from his losses. Now Daniel is maturing more, gaining experience. The only problem is Joshua is probably in the best shape of his career. Dubois has been beaten up a bit before, but he's weathered the storm and gotten tougher. Now he faces a storm with Joshua's strong punches. Dubois has become a much better fighter, he really surprised me, but the fight with Joshua comes at the wrong time," Moore told Boxing News.

Former cruiserweight title challenger Tony Bellew (30-3-1, 20 KOs) sees Joshua as the clear favorite and predicts a quick win for Anthony.

"AJ is technically better than Dubois. More mobile, faster, has a stronger punch. In everything Dubois is good at, AJ is a bit better. He also has defense. AJ is crazy. Probably, Joshua is the best athlete who has ever been in the heavyweight division as a specimen of athleticism. I think the fight will end within two rounds. I don't see another outcome," Bellew told Lucky Block Casino.

Meanwhile, Tyson Fury's former trainer Peter Fury believes that anything can happen in such a fight.

"It's an interesting fight. They both can punch. It's logical to pick Joshua as the favorite because he has the experience and speed. He's at a very high level. Dubois has also gotten much better in recent fights, so it's still a dangerous fight for Joshua. But you have to give the edge to Anthony based on his experience. However, Dubois is a powerful puncher. Anything can happen," Fury told Boxing Social.

British heavyweight Derek Chisora (34-13, 23 KOs) pointed out the condition for Dubois' victory.

"Dubois, after his knockout wins over Miller and Hrgovic, is charged with huge confidence. He will bring that to Wembley. If Joshua wants to win, he can't waste time warming up; he needs to quash that confidence in the first two rounds. If Daniel gains the momentum of his confidence, he wins the fight," Chisora told Boxing King Media.

Anthony Joshua last fought in March, brutally knocking out Francis Ngannou (0-2) in the 2nd round. Daniel Dubois defeated Filip Hrgovic by technical knockout in the 8th round on June 1, earning the interim IBF heavyweight title.