That’s the verdict of Ireland’s ex-world champion Barry McGuigan as the two British heavyweights prepare to clash at Wembley in September.
AJ has landed four straight wins on a road he hopes leads back to the top of the globe following his double defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. Those impressive comeback successes make Joshua, 34, the IBF’s No1 challenger. And Usyk could relinquish that organisation’s world title belt after agreeing a re-match with Tyson Fury. So AJ could be one victory away from a shot at the IBF crown.
But Joshua was in Saudi Arabia earlier this month to see 26-year-old Dubois end Filip Hrgovic’s unbeaten record and take the interim IBF title. And McGuigan, 63, who is the Professional Boxing Association president, has identified what he reckons is AJ’s main area of vulnerability.
In fact, he believes Joshua’s superior all-round ability might not be enough to triumph – if Dubois can expose that one potential flaw. McGuigan told Seconds Out: “If he gets through to Joshua’s chin then its game on.
“Joshua is the more complete fighter, marginally quicker. And he has rebuilt impressively since he lost for the second time to Usyk.
“There is, however, still a chink in his armour first exposed by Andy Ruiz that makes him vulnerable to the kind of power packed by Dubois.
“Most would still take Joshua to win. But nothing is a given if Dubois can back up his Hrgovic victory with another mature performance.”
However, ex world king Joshua remains unswerving in his belief. He alerted Dubois on Instagram: “The hardest part about my job is realising you have to ruin someone else’s dream to achieve yours.” However, the younger man predicted: “I’ll demolish Joshua. I’ll get even better from here.” The fight could be confirmed soon for September 21 this year.
