Anthony Joshua could have the mental edge in his all-British heavyweight world title fight against Daniel Dubois, as the former champion "doesn't give a ---- anymore", according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
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Joshua will aim to become a three-time world champion in September as he faces off against Dubois for the IBF crown, which was recently vacated by undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. The pair will collide at Wembley Stadium in September, with Dubois aiming to become a world champion for the first time.
Their first interaction didn't go well, as a face-off had to be cancelled when an interaction turned sour, with Joshua threatening to throw a chair at his rival after feeling disrespected.
That move was massively out of character for 'AJ', who has always been known to stay calm in press conferences and face-offs, before turning it on in the ring. But Hearn believes 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 to.
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Speaking to SportsBoom.com, Hearn 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 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.”
Joshua is arguably the most popular British boxer since Ricky Hatton, as is proven by the amount of stadium fights he's had. But Hearn thinks the incident with Dubois proves he's not fussed about his public image anymore.
He continued: "Now, when I see people say ‘Come on then’ he’s back on the estate and out in the park. In the past, he might have taken a deep breath and decided not to rise to it or take the bait whereas now things are very different.”
“He won’t back down. He’s not bothered about all the other stuff, trying to impress different people anymore. He’s always been true to himself, and he’s always been real. I know that. He knows that.”
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