Carl Frampton has given Daniel Dubois the psychological edge ahead of his IBF world heavyweight title fight against Anthony Joshua, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports Box Office and discovery+. The highly anticipated showdown at Wembley on Saturday, September 21, will see the two British heavyweights face off, with Richie Woodhall highlighting Dubois’ explosive jab as a potential game-changer.
Frampton believes the pressure is squarely on Joshua in this fight. The Northern Irishman backs Dubois to bounce back from any setback but warns that the 34-year-old Joshua faces “more jeopardy” at this stage in his career. Meanwhile, Woodhall has praised Dubois’ jab, calling it “the best in the division,” and something that Joshua should be particularly wary of as Dubois makes his first IBF title defense.
Frampton sees Dubois having the psychological advantage heading into the fight. “There’s definitely more pressure on AJ going into this fight, and I think that’s a nice position for Daniel Dubois to be in,” he told TNT Sports. He pointed out that while both fighters have experienced losses, Dubois’ youth gives him more opportunities to recover, whereas Joshua may have more to lose.
Dubois, 27, has only lost twice in 23 bouts, with the majority of his victories coming by TKO or KO, including his recent wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, the latter securing him the interim IBF title. Frampton emphasized the significance of Dubois’ recent performances, particularly his ability to dig deep and fight through adversity.
Woodhall underscored the importance of Dubois’ jab, describing it as more than just a setup punch but a forceful weapon in itself. “It’s probably as hard as a lot of heavyweights’ right hands,” Woodhall explained. “If Daniel is going to win, the jab is going to play a major role in securing his victory.”
However, TNT Sports pundit Steve Bunce argues that Joshua has evolved beyond the fighter who suffered back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Bunce believes that this version of Joshua may be the smartest and best yet, blending a balance of caution and recklessness that could prove decisive at Wembley.