Anthony Joshua weighed in at four pounds heavier than Daniel Dubois for his IBF world heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, despite his British rival’s all-time high weight.
On stage beneath Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Joshua weighed in at 252.5 pounds while Dubois weighed in at 248.6 pounds ahead of Riyadh Season: Joshua vs. Dubois. Live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Joshua, who came on stage to a mix of cheers and boos from the London crowd, weighed slightly more than he did for his last fight with Francis Ngannou, while DuBois was three pounds heavier than his previous career best.
Joshua and Dubois are set to fight for the IBF heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
Joshua and Dubois last fought before Saturday’s fight (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
“You’ve been with me through my ups and downs,” Joshua said. “If I could ask for one thing – please pray for me, for my success, and for me to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.
“I’m a gladiator and I’m about to enter the arena to perform for the people. I’m excited and ready to perform.”
Joshua gives his thoughts ahead of Dubois fight (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
Dubois steps on the scales in Trafalgar Square (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
Spit has been between the two fighters all week, and they’ve been locked in a heated duel ahead of a bout that could determine the most powerful puncher on the planet.
“There’s a lot of hard work and training that went into this, and I’m just getting started,” Dubois said later. “I’m ready to fight. It’s time to get in the ring.”
“We will win by any means necessary,” he added, predicting Saturday night’s outcome.
This massive fight will decide the IBF world title holder, with DuBois having his interim belt upgraded to become the current titlist.
The fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday will involve a title, a chance to get close to the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury rematch and personal pride.
Unsurprisingly, tensions are rising between the two.
The promotion began with a tough standoff that saw Joshua and Dubois split up, with Joshua never shying away from giving Dubois the cold stare he deserved in a head-on fight.
They finished their final showdown on Friday to a huge cheer from the crowd. The final ritual in the countdown to the end of the competition, when they next face each other, it will be time to finally fight.
“I love that atmosphere. The fans pressure me to perform every time,” Joshua added. “I’m happy about that.”
Verdict on Weight Measurement
Sky Sports’ John Dennen in Trafalgar Square:
Anthony Joshua has accomplished a lot in his career. He won Olympic gold in London 2012 under pressure. He has headlined major stadium shows and has been a two-time unified heavyweight world champion.
But he never once expressed his opinion in this position, beneath Nelson’s Column, beneath the National Portrait Gallery, with Whitehall behind him.
He is the kind of person who would enjoy an opportunity like this.
It was also fascinating to see him address his supporters directly. Joshua’s relationship with the British crowd waxed and waned with his successes and occasional failures, but it was special to see.
He asked them to “pray” for his success, that he would become a three-time heavyweight world champion. Another sign is that while he is focused on his performance against Dubois, the accolades mean a lot to him. They mean the world.
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Andy Scott and John Dennen discuss all the key takeaways from the Joshua vs. Dubois weigh-in, including Dubois’ heaviest weight.
Why did Dubois speak first?
Joshua still has the star power of his old days. He came in second at the weigh-in and stepped onto the scale in second place, a privilege usually reserved for champions.
Likewise, he will be in the ring for the second time on fight night.
Promoter Frank Warren explained why: The deal was made before DuBois was elevated to full world championship status.
“When we had the fight, it was before the (Philip) Hrgovic fight, and the winner was going to fight (Joshua) and that was it,” Warren said. Sky Sports.
“We have a contract about who gets in the ring first, so we’re not trying to be smart,” he added. “(Dubois) is the champion, that’s it.
“That’s what was agreed upon.”
Weight Control for Undercard Players
Tyler Denny (159.9 lbs) is the European middleweight champion, but he faces Hamza Serraj (159.6 lbs) as an underdog.
But he seems unfazed and is adamant that he can cause another upset. “I’ve done what I’ve done my whole career,” he said. “I put it on him and knock him out.”
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Hamzah Sheeraz has a significant height difference with his opponent Tyler Denny.
Joshua Buatsi and Willie Hutchinson both made weight for their WBO interim world title fight, Buatsi at 174.7 pounds and Hutchinson at 174.9 pounds.
After exchanging cold glances, Booachi turned to excite the crowd.
“I don’t care about him at all,” Buasti declared. “It doesn’t matter.
“See you tomorrow night.”
“One more day, one more night, and we’re going to get it on, and I’m going to take this guy down,” Hutchinson threatened.
Anthony Carcache’s IBF super featherweight world title will be out of contest against former featherweight champion Josh Warrington, who was promoted to super featherweight after his loss to Lee Wood.
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Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson continue their fierce competition at the weigh-in for their fight on Saturday.
Although he doesn’t meet the IBF criteria to challenge for Kakache’s belt, he promises to put up a tough fight.
“It’s out of my hands, that’s it,” Kakache said. “It’s a huge fight, regardless of the title. Josh is a big name in the UK, and I’m here to do a job.”
Warrington, who weighed 129.5 pounds, and Kakache, who weighed 129.8 pounds, spoke to each other as soon as they stepped off the scale.
“I just came here to let him know I’m not here to put up numbers,” Warrington said. “I’m here to win.”
Ishmael Davis (159.3 pounds) and ambitious Olympian Josh Kelly (159.1 pounds) had a heated press conference on Thursday, but they were calm in their final showdown.
“A lot of people don’t know what I can do,” Davies warned him. He came on at short notice for Kelly’s original counterpart Liam Smith and promised he could turn the Sunderland man around.
Mark Chamberlain (139.4 pounds) and his opponent Josh Padley (139.6 pounds) had to be separated after the match.
“I can’t wait to get in there and do what I normally do,” Chamberlain declared. “He’s undefeated, but he’s going to have a real fight tomorrow night.”
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Check out the best moments from the Joshua and Dubois undercard press conference.
How to watch Joshua vs Dubois
Riyadh Season: Joshua vs Dubois event is priced at £19.95 for Sky customers in the UK and €24.95 for Sky customers in the Republic of Ireland until midnight on Friday 20 September.
All ‘self-service’ bookings (remote control/online) will then be charged £19.95/€24.95, or £24.95/€29.95 if booked over the phone (IVR or agent), but an additional £2 booking fee will apply if booked via an agent.
The event price will return to £19.95 / €24.95 (ROI) from midnight on Saturday 21st September.
The heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will be broadcast live on Saturday, September 21. Sky Sports Box Office. Book your Joshua vs Dubois fight now!
