Anthony Joshua will be forced into the trenches at Wembley on Saturday, according to Daniel Dubois, who feels he has perfectly scheduled their fight. Two days after Anthony Joshua said he was “willing to die” in the ring to win the heavyweight title three times, IBF king Dubois said his more seasoned opponent was susceptible to blows.

Joshua has adopted a cautious technique after being knocked down four times by Andy Ruiz in 2019. Despite avenging the setback, he was later defeated twice by Oleksandr Usyk. Only in his last two fights, wins against Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou under new trainer Ben Davison, has he begun to growl again. However, Dubois sees a weakness that may be exploited.

Anthony Joshua (left) and Daniel Dubois (right) square-up ahead of their world title clash

‘I need to take him back to that dark place and make him uncomfortable in there, make him break down in the ring. That’s what I plan to do. He’s right for the taking now,’ Dubois said.

Dubois believes AJ is ‘available for the taking’ and that the fight has come at the right time.

‘I’m on the rise; I have momentum on my side. No more words, just fighting and punching. I am ready to battle and destroy. Destroy.’

Dubois was obliged to cure his own ring-induced trauma after taking a knee against Joe Joyce in 2020, which earned him the moniker of quitter despite the fact that he had shattered his left eye socket.

For others, the 27-year-old Londoner’s reputation suffered even more damage when he was knocked out in the ninth round by Usyk last year.

However, like Joshua, he has rebuilt with hard-fought victory over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic before capturing the IBF title when Usyk vacated in June to set up a rematch with Tyson Fury.

“The last two battles were my redemption. This is about planting a flag and moving on as a global champion. ‘I’m simply a hungry young lion right now,’ Dubois explained.

‘I’m there to receive respect, you know. There is no respect in boxing, and I am prepared to accept that, keep my belt, and remain world champion.

Joshua is a heavy favourite to win his sixth Wembley victory in a row, but promoter Frank Warren believes the British rivals’ recent records favour Dubois.

‘Daniel’s fought much better quality opposition in his last few fights, no doubt about that,’ Queensberry boss Warren said.

‘He’s been the underdog in every one of those fights and he’s come through them and done what he’s had to do. The man who’s got all the pressure in him is AJ. He’s going into this as a favourite, according to a lot of people.

Although Joshua (above) is the favorite, Dubois believes he can upset the odds on Saturday night.

Being 34 years old, he is the one who cannot afford to lose this war. What happens if he loses this fight?

Daniel won’t lose, in my opinion. Daniel punches harder and throws more meaningful jabs. Every jab from AJ is offensive, and when you watch his, you can see that he’s trying to set you up for a jab.

“AJ exposes himself to the counter when he throws those bombs, so I want to see him throw them.”