Boxing
Daniel Dubois Faces a Whole New Challenge as He Prepares for Joshua Showdown at Wembley, Says John Ryder
Daniel Dubois faces the biggest challenge of his career as he prepares for his world heavyweight title showdown against Anthony Joshua at Wembley. John Ryder shares his thoughts on the magnitude of the event and what awaits Dubois.
Image Credits: Alex Morton/Getty Images
Daniel Dubois “probably doesn’t understand” the magnitude of the occasion he is set to experience ahead of his world heavyweight title clash against Anthony Joshua, according to a fighter who has faced one of the sport’s most ferocious atmospheres.
Ryder on Dubois: "He Doesn't Understand the Magnitude"
Ninety-six thousand people, a record crowd for British boxing, are expected to witness Saturday’s contest at Wembley Stadium where Joshua will attempt to become a three-time champion by snatching Dubois’ IBF crown.
A former Olympic gold medallist, this weekend’s bout marks Joshua’s fifth appearance at the home of English football having previously headlined shows at Madison Square Garden, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Tottenham Hotspur’s ground.
Although Dubois has also competed at the latter, having featured on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s victory over Derek Chisora, John Ryder believes his fellow Londoner remains blissfully unaware of what awaits him when he enters the iconic arena to face Joshua
Joshua's Experience vs. Dubois' First Taste of the Big Stage
Ryder, who last year faced the legendary Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in the Mexican’s home state of Guadalajara, told SportsBoom.com: “I don’t think Daniel quite realises what it’s going to be like walking out there.
“It’s going to be completely new for him - a whole new ball game if you want to call it that - nothing like he’s come across before.”
He’ll think he’s grasped what it’s going to be like. But he still probably doesn’t understand the glare of the spotlight and the sheer intensity of what’s going to happen.
John Ryder
The Mental Battle Ahead: “A Whole New Ball Game” for Dubois
“Maybe that’s actually a good thing, because you have to be careful it doesn’t all get on top of you before you’ve even thrown a punch. Daniel - and this isn’t a criticism - is a very one dimensional person in the sense that all he’s bothered about is boxing and then getting home to his family, boxing and then getting home to his family. He’s got no interest in all the stuff that goes with a night like this.”
“That might help him not get overawed by it all. He might just be able to get in there and do his stuff. But trust me, this is going to be very different for him.”
Ryder, who twice held an interim world super middleweight title before announcing his retirement in February, reflected on his battle with Alvarez at the Estadio Akron last year to illustrate what he means.”
The southpaw, aged 36, overcame a partisan audience to take Alvarez the distance before losing on points via a unanimous decision.
“I spent weeks readying myself psychologically for it,” Ryder said.
“I was lucky enough to see the stadium beforehand during the first press conference which helped.”
“But I still had to try and imagine what would happen before the bell and that can be mentally draining.”
“I like to think I coped with it well - going into the lion’s den, in Canelo’s own backyard - and having 56,000 people booing me.”
The Unseen Side of Anthony Joshua
Joshua, from Watford, has spent nearly a decade operating at the pinnacle of his profession and counts Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz among his list of victims. Dubois was awarded the belt after beating Filip Hrgovic for the interim title on another Riyadh Season event; this time in the Saudi Arabian capital.
Predicting that “state of mind” could decide the outcome of Dubois’ meeting with Joshua, Ryder said: “Daniel is usually very relaxed but produced a bit of a surprise when he offered Anthony outside at the first press call a while ago. He probably expected AJ to ignore it but instead he offered him outside.”
“That showed a different side to Anthony, one not many people might have seen before. He seems in a good place and a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter.”
“He's been here before and it won't be new for him. But then again, like AJ, Daniel is on a really good run of form.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.