Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois forced to wait next to each other in awkward backstage footage before heavyweight fight
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois were uncomfortably close to each other before their press conference.
On Thursday, Joshua and Dubois met at the final press conference just two days out from their IBF heavyweight title clash at Wembley Stadium.
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The British pair have already showed animosity towards each other in the build-up to the clash, having been separated by security at a prior face-off.
Things were equally as awkward as the pair bumped into each other and were held together as they waited for the event to get underway.
Dubois watched on as AJ began shadow boxing to pass the time as the mind games continued even in the hall.
They briefly glimpsed at each other but never held a gaze as they prepare to come to blows in the squared circle on Saturday night.
Once on stage and brought together at a safer distance, the pair discussed a number of incidents including their previous encounter.
The former two-time champion is in the zone and insisted he has full focus on proving himself once again this weekend.
He said: “What a blessing to be back. To be able to perform and prove to myself that I have listened to the instructions from training camp.
“I am in supreme condition mentally and physically, I have been watching old fights and am ready to rumble.
“We will find out what he can bring, I’m not Daniel.
“I showed Daniel the respect he deserves and that will put me in good stead on Saturday.
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“I am tough, so is he. May the best man win. I wanted to bring the heavyweight division back to life in the UK, and it happened so well done.
“It wasn’t disrespectful [the exchange], he repeated that he ‘wanted to go’ and that was that, don’t you think Daniel?”
Dubois was equally as locked in and refused to give much away on stage, with no disrespectful exchanges on stage.
And he believes his fight with Joshua is a full circle story which he believes will lead him to the pinnacle of the blue-riband division.
He added: “Everything has gone well, I’m ready for training camp, let’s go.
“It’s a resurrection story in my career, I’m on a roll right now and I want to create a name for myself and make history.
“I’ve always known I can compete, I’m just ready to go right now.
“I need to retain the title and legitimise myself by winning this fight. I’ll beat him by any means necessary.”
Stakes are high with Joshua looking to snatch the IBF belt from Dubois, to try and join an elite club and become a three-time heavyweight champion.
Dubois was crowned king with the organisation despite not throwing a punch, and a win would see him put previous defeats behind him and lead him on a track to new heights.
The winner of the clash is likely to set up a huge undisputed clash with the victor of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury which takes place on December 21.
talkSPORT will bring you exclusive live commentary of the heavyweight clash at Wembley Stadium between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois on Saturday, September 21. Download the talkSPORT app here.
