According to promoter Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua has the mental edge in the upcoming heavyweight world title fight against Daniel Dubois, adding that the former champion is no longer defensive.
Joshua will aim to become a three-time world champion in September when he takes on a fellow Brit for the IBF crown recently vacated by undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The pair will collide at Wembley Stadium, with Dubois aiming to become a world champion for the first time.
Their first interaction didn’t go well, as the fight was cancelled when it turned sour, with Joshua threatening to throw a chair at his rival after feeling disrespected.
That move was massively out of character for Joshua, who is known for his calmness in press conferences and fights, before turning it on in the ring.
However, Hearn reckons this is a new-look Joshua with a new attitude, as the 34-year-old accepts the stage of his career he’s at, having accomplished almost everything he wanted.
Speaking to SportsBoom.com, Heard explained, “He’s always had that edge. But I think he’s a lot less guarded now. When he won the Olympics, he came through that GB school, which can be very corporate, and that’s been amazing for the sport.
“He’s been an ambassador for it, increased interest in it again, and increased participation among kids at the grassroots level. But now he thinks, ‘I’ve done my job. I don’t give a — anymore.’ Now, if you put it on him, he wants to take your head off.
“People say they love this new AJ. It’s not a new AJ in terms of his edge. He’s always been real. But I do think it’s a new AJ in terms of his confidence.”
