Anthony Joshua’s attempts to intimidate IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois failed during their face-to-face sitdown on DAZN to promote their September 21st fight on PPV at Wembley Stadium. Dubois was unbothered by both Joshua’s attempts at rattling him in their interview.
Joshua’s Loss of Composure
According to commentator Ade Oladipo, Team Dubois will be pleased that Daniel stood up for himself in interacting with the aging former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs).
Joshua, 34, looked at Dubois during the interview and said he couldn’t wait to fight him. AJ’s look at Dubois appeared to be an attempt to elicit a submissive, cowering reaction from the 26-year-old.
If Joshua could gain a psychological advantage in their actions, he could continue to put Dubois in a one-down underling. AJ could use that to dominate him when they meet on September 21st.
“I’ve seen some comments where they said, ‘Joshua tried to bully him, and Dubois didn’t accept it.’ However, you want to take it. Dubois stepped up for himself, and that’s what [Daniel’s trainer] Don [Charles] wants to see,” said Ade Oladipo to Secondsout about the sitdown face-to-face interview last week between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois when AJ tried to intimidate him.
Joshua lost his composure when Dubois stood up for himself, which led to AJ warning him about hitting him with a chair. There was little chance that Joshua would stoop to that level, but it appeared to be a last-ditch effort to intimidate.
Daniel’s Team’s Reaction
“That’s what we want to see with Dubois,” said Ade. “‘I’m not accepting that. You can’t talk to me however you want to talk to me. I am the champion. I’m a top seven or top eight heavyweight myself now. I’m here not because the British public forced me into the position. I put myself in the position by beating Filip Hrgovic. So, I beat the boogeyman.’”
If Joshua continues with his menacing stares and tough talk, he may need to take some acting classes if he wants to frighten Dubois. What he’s doing now isn’t working, and it’s not going to. Dubois is too confident based on his impressive performances against Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller, and Oleksandr Usyk.
“I almost feel that Don and Frank will be happy and Daniel’s dad. We know that Daniel’s dad played a big part in it as well. He’s probably thinking, ‘Yes, my son won’t be intimidated.’ Dubois’ team will be so happy,” said Ade.