Anthony Joshua outweighed Daniel Dubois by four pounds for their IBF world heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday despite a career-heaviest weight for his British rival.
On a stage beneath Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Joshua scaled 252.5lbs while Dubois weighed in at 248.6lbs ahead of Riyadh Season: Joshua vs Dubois, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Joshua, greeted on stage by a mixture of cheers and jeers from a bumper London crowd, was marginally heavier than his last fight against Francis Ngannou while Dubois weighed three pounds more than his previous career highest.
Joshua and Dubois will fight for the IBF heavyweight world title on Saturday at Wembley Stadium (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
Joshua and Dubois faced off for the final time ahead of Saturday’s fight (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
“You’ve been with me through my ups and downs,” said Joshua. “If I can ask you one favour – pray for me, for my success and for me to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.
“I’m a gladiator and I’m about to step into an arena to perform for the people. I’m pumped and ready to perform.”
Joshua weighs in ahead of his fight with Dubois (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
Dubois takes to the scales at Trafalgar Square (Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)
Spite has crept in between the two fighters throughout fight week and they were locked in an intense face-off before a fight that could decide the hardest puncher on the planet.
“A lot of work and training has gone into this, and I’m just ready to go now,” said Dubois afterwards. “I’m ready to fight. It’s time to get in the ring.”
Predicting the outcome on Saturday night, he added: “A win, by any means necessary.”
The titanic bout will settle the holder of the IBF world championship, with Dubois currently the titlist after his interim belt was upgraded.
That title, a potential shot at the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch and personal pride are all at stake in Saturday’s Wembley Stadium clash.
Tension, unsurprisingly, has been building between the pair.
The promotion began with a fractious confrontation, in which Joshua and Dubois had to be pulled apart, and Joshua at no point has backed away from subjecting Dubois to an icy stare-down at their head-to-heads stand-offs.
They completed the final face-off on Friday with a huge cheer from the crowd. The last ritual in the countdown to the contest complete, the next occasion they face one another other, it will be time, finally, to fight.
“I love the atmosphere, the fans put pressure on me every time to perform,” added Joshua. “I thrive on it.”
How to watch Joshua vs Dubois
The 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 up until midnight on Friday September 20.
Thereafter £19.95 / €24.95 across all ‘self-service’ bookings (remote control/online) or £24.95 / €29.95 if booked via the phone (either IVR or agent) but note an additional £2 booking fee if via an agent will apply.
The event price will revert back to £19.95 / €24.95 (ROI) from midnight Saturday September 21.
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Daniel Dubois takes place on Saturday September 21 live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Joshua vs Dubois now!
