Vitali Klitschko Picks Joshua To Beat Dubois
Vitali Klitschko has backed Anthony Joshua to overcome Daniel Dubois on September 21.
Joshua boxes for the IBF Heavyweight Title for the chance to become a three-time heavyweight champion. A win also puts him in line for an undisputed shot between the winner of Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Joshua has already lost twice to Usyk, meaning he could get the chance to avenge the loss. Meanwhile, a fight with Fury for undisputed would be one of most lucrative fights of all time. But even if it is not for undisputed, the Fury fight is still one that appeals to boxing fans.
Joshua is a two-time unified heavyweight champion. But there are still questions over his career. Joshua has fallen short at the elite level against Usyk. However, he now faces a new challenge. Dubois is seen as a serious threat following his recent form. He stopped Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic in his last two fights.
Klitcshko On Joshua
He became the IBF champion once Usyk vacated. The narrative coming into this fight is that either boxer can end the bout with one punch. Joshua showed that in his last two fights, stopping Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou. Dubois may be a step up, but if AJ lands his right hand like Hrgovic did, it could be an early night. Klitschko picked Joshua to win based on his experience.
“Sometimes a step back means you can take two or three steps forward and I hope Joshua learned a lot and will be well motivated in the next fight. I keep my fingers crossed for Joshua. Good man. Good heart. [And] a good sportsman and has good skills,” Klitschko said
Vitali also addressed Joshua’s win over his brother Wladimir Klitschko. AJ had to get off the canvas before stopping the Ukrainian. The win was seen as Joshua’s biggest yet. However, there was a perception that Wladimir was not the same fighter after he had lost to Tyson Fury. But the win propelled Joshua’s name, a performance that was helped due to AJ’s physicality.
Joshua Vs. Klitcshko
He was able to overpower the Ukrainian to get an 11th-round stoppage. Vitali was in the corner when his brother dropped Joshua in round six. He looked back with a little regret, as who knows what could have happened if Wladimir had gone for the knockout. Wladimir would have been the face of boxing, changing the landscape of the heavyweight division forever. However, Vital still gave Joshua his credit as the Brit was simply the better man on the night.
“History doesn’t like the word if. If… Joshua is a good fighter. A fight is about physical condition. It’s about strategy and regarding the psychological game. In this fight Joshua was stronger than Wladimir. My personal opinion as a sportsman is Wladimir made a couple of mistakes. Wladimir was prepared great for the fight but if… If,” he added with a laugh…But in this fight Joshua was stronger than Wladimir,” Vitali stated
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