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Time to Shine: Joshua and Dubois Show Confidence as They Arrive at Grand London

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By: Sean Crose

The biggest moment of Daniel Dubois’ career is coming this weekend, and the hard-hitting heavyweight wants the world to know he’s ready for it. “I’m feeling good, I’m feeling confident,” he said during a grand arrival on the eve of this weekend’s IBF world title fight with the one and only Anthony Joshua. “I’m just relaxed and taking it all in. I’m taking in the energy, which is good… I’m just going to feed off of it and build on it. I can’t wait. This is my time. I’m ready for it.” While former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua may be the bigger attraction this week, it’s clear Dubois feels like this moment will be his.

“You’ll see, this is my time,” he said. “I’m the man. I have to go out there and legitimize it. I’m the champion… at any cost. Winning is everything.” Of course, Joshua and his team may have something to say about that. “My mentality is that if I draw the line and put fear on one side and confidence on the other,” Joshua said, “but I still go in the ring—who am I going to pick? I’m confident. I believe in myself, and I think that’s the right mentality.” Still, even a veteran like Joshua can be impressed by what’s going on around him. After all, Saudi Arabia’s sports authority Turki Alalshikh is the driving force behind the fight, and the ambitious promoter is literally changing the look and feel of the sport.

“100% I’ve never had a red carpet in my life,” Joshua said. “It’s a blessing. They’re doing great things. It’s good that we’re doing things together now. I’ve been to Saudi Arabia, it’s good to be home. It’s not diminutive, they’ve made it huge. I’m also fighting a Queensberry Promotions fighter, so it’s a up-to-date era for boxing – a golden era, if you ask me. Hopefully the next generation that comes along will benefit from all of this. It’s not just our generation.”

As for Matchroom boss and Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, Saturday is a buzzworthy event. “I really am AJ’s number one fan,” he said. “He’s a friend, I know how rigid he’s worked over the years. We’ve had our ups and downs, and to see him make history as a three-time heavyweight champion would be an incredible moment for him and we’d be very proud. We also recognise the challenge. I think most people think AJ is the favourite in the fight, but Daniel is very much the live underdog. He’s perilous, he hits very rigid. It’ll be captivating to see how he copes with the occasion and the emotions of the night.”

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Yoenis Téllez-Johan González, Mateo Tapia-Endry Saavedra added to the October 19 PBC bill

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Talented Cuban junior middleweight Yoenis Téllez will face the hard-hitting Johan González on October 19, while the main event will be headlined by an IBF title fight between Bakhram Murtazaliev and Tim Tszyu.

The event at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida will also feature a fight between middleweight contenders Mateo Tapia and Endry Saavedra.

Ronnie Shields’ protégé Téllez will be fighting at the venue for the fifth time, with the 24-year-old holding an 8-0 (6 KO) record.

Téllez defeated Sergio Garcia last July and has since won two fights at Caribe Royale.

“Fighting an experienced fighter like Johan González is a great opportunity to show the world what I’m made of,” Téllez said. “He fought at an elite level and I expect a tough fight. I’ll leave everything in the ring.”

Gonzalez, a native of Valencia, Venezuela, currently trains in Las Vegas and is 34-3 (33 KOs). He made his U.S. debut last year but lost a decision to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov in 2022. Gonzalez surrendered in 2017 and won his first 22 fights before losing a split decision in 2018.

“This fight means everything to me, I have to win it,” González said. “I work tough every day to make sure I leave with my hand raised. Right now, I’m just focused on doing everything I can to keep my career moving forward.”

Tapia is a friend and sparring partner of main event contender Tszyu, while Saavedra has seven stoppages in his last seven wins.

The 26-year-old Tapia (17-0, 10 KOs) was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and has spent most of his career fighting out of Australia, as well as sparring hundreds of rounds with Tszyu. He now trains in St. Petersburg, Florida, and hopes a win over Saavedra will put him one step closer to a title shot.

“This fight is a huge opportunity for me and I’m here to take it with both hands,” Tapia said. “I’m excited to be fighting on Tim Tszyu’s undercard and I’m grateful to my team for making it happen. It’s been a long camp and I’ll definitely be ready when that bell rings on October 19th. I can’t wait to showcase my skills and proudly represent Australia and Mexico on the world stage.”

Saavedra (16-1, 13 KOs), a Venezuelan fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico, enters the fight having knocked out his last three opponents since suffering his only career loss, a decision win over Etoundi Michel William in October 2022.

The 33-year-old turned pro in 2018 and has won his first 13 fights after a lengthy amateur career, most recently traveling to Australia in March where he stopped Isaac Hardman on home turf in the eighth round of a fight he was trailing on two of three cards.

“I can’t wait to take advantage of what’s ahead of me on Oct. 19,” Saavedra said. “I plan on showing the world why I belong at the top of the middleweight division. I’m up against a tough Australian fighter who represents Mexico, so I expect a war, just like I bring it to every fight.”

TGB Promotions President Tom Brown added, “Yoenis Téllez can add his name to the star-studded lineup of top 154-pound contenders when he takes on the formidable Johan González, while Mateo Tapia is poised to make a splash in the middleweight division if he can defeat the on-the-fly Endry Saavedra in his first fight.”

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Eddie Hearn Wants Anthony Joshua to Fight Tyson Fury

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Image: Eddie Hearn Wants Anthony Joshua to Fight Tyson Fury Next

Eddie Hearn wants Anthony Joshua to face Tyson Fury regardless of the outcome of Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21.

(Source: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Hearn says that if Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) is defeated by WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk, a fight between him and Joshua would be “huge,” with Fury potentially facing Joshua in a voluntary defense of his three titles if he is victorious.

It is logical that Hearn allowed a fight between Joshua (28-4, 23 KOs) and Fury because there is large money on the table from Saudi Arabia.

With all the money Joshua could get for the Fury fight, it would be crazy to ignore it. Joshua is wealthy, with his net worth currently estimated at 200 million poundsbut adding another $100 million would make it worth it. The most Joshua would have to worry about in the Fury fight is getting hit on the canvas.

AJ would have a better chance of beating the 36-year-old Fury than he would in a rematch with IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. It would be foolish for Joshua to risk fighting Dubois after what happened last Saturday night. Dubois stopped Joshua in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium and it was strenuous to watch.

“My advice would be to do nothing until December 21st – Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury rematch,” Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports Boxing of his plans for Anthony Joshua’s next fight. “If Fury loses, it could lead to a large fight with Joshua, if Fury wins, he could do a voluntary defence against Joshua. It’s still the biggest fight in the division, by a mile.”

The Fury-Joshua fight could look uncertain if Usyk knocks Fury out on December 21. It would look bad if Fury and Joshua both lost by knockout when they meet in 2025. The British boxing public will not tolerate a fight between two heroes if both lose by knockout.

Fury, 6’8″, has the size to take Usyk the full 12-round distance in a losing effort, especially if the referee can assist him by giving him breaks when he’s injured. Fury was recently saved in the ninth round by the referee, who gave him an eight-pointer when he was on his feet after taking 20 consecutive unanswered punches to the head from Usyk.

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Anthony Joshua: My Ups and Downs Career Isn’t Over Yet

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ANTHONY JOSHUA insists his bumper career is not over yet as he continues his quest to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

Following his devastating defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, the first knockout of his 11-year career, many suggested Joshua might decide to end his boxing career.

But the two-time heavyweight world champion, now 34, is adamant he is not ready to abandon the sport that has transformed the face of this country.

Joshua has one more fight lined up with Riyadh Season and his promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested a rematch with Dubois could be an option, although fights with the likes of Deontay Wilder, Joe Joyce or Zhilei Zhang could also be possible for Turki Al-Alshikh.

On Monday, Joshua posted a video on his Instagram profile in which he emphasized that his goal has not changed despite the defeat to Dubois.

He said: “Okay, we didn’t get the win last night, but we have to look at all the positives. That’s the attitude and perspective we have to have, positive, always.

“Look what we’ve accomplished in 11 years, it’s phenomenal and I want to thank every single one of you who’s been on this journey with me. What a rollercoaster ride.

“But do you know what the problem is? It’s a long way from being solved. We’ve done it once, we’ve done it twice, doing it a third time wasn’t simple, but I believe it’s something I can achieve.

“It’s about taking the right steps forward, working tough, improving yourself, and it has to come from the heart more than anything else. It can’t come from any outside voices or influences, it has to come from the heart.

“It’s only been a day, but when I sit down and think, I know I have a lot of heart. Buckle up, because deep, deep, deep in my heart I know we have so much more to give to the game. Long may it continue.

“British boxing, I appreciate you and we grow together, let’s go!”

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