7 hours Ago By Peter Akinbo
Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has backed Anthony Joshua to defeat Daniel Dubois should they meet again in a rematch of their September 2024 bout, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Speaking to First Round TV, Bellew expressed confidence in Joshua’s abilities despite his previous defeat to Dubois. “If they were to have a rematch I’d favour Josh going in.
He has better attributes than Daniel Dubois, but it’s all about the mindset,” Bellew said. The first fight between the two British heavyweights saw Dubois score a heavy knockdown at the end of the first round before finishing Joshua with a conclusive knockout in the fifth. Joshua had been rebuilding his career following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk with knockout victories over Francis Ngannou, Otto Wallin and Robert Helenius.
There was talk of an immediate rematch after Joshua’s loss to Dubois, but the British-Nigerian instead took time out to recover from injury while hoping to secure a blockbuster showdown with long-time rival Tyson Fury, who has since retired at the start of the year. Dubois was scheduled to fight Joseph Parker in February but withdrew due to illness. He has now been mandated to defend his IBF strap against 49-fight veteran Derek Chisora.
Related News VIDEO: From boxing ring to Lagos streets: Anthony Joshua connects with fans, ponders future Wilder eyes Joshua fight Joshua warned against Paul fight The more likely fight for Dubois is a rematch with Usyk for the undisputed title, while Joshua may take on Parker if Fury remains in retirement. Meanwhile, Joshua has been connecting with fans in Lagos, Nigeria. In a video shared on X.
com on Sunday, excited onlookers greeted him with cheers and fist-bumps as the boxer jogged down the street. In his post, Joshua shared his thoughts on fan support, comparing himself to basketball legends. “I love the game.
I love the hustle. I feel like one of them ball players you know? Like Bird, Magic, James, Jordan, Kobe or something,” he wrote. “You know I got dough, I could leave the game.
.. But if I leave.
.. Are the fans still gonna love me, man? I get love out here in (the) streets man.
” Joshua was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, to Nigerian mother Yeta and father Robert Joshua, who is of Nigerian and Irish ancestry..
