Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois tend to let their fists do the talking and that was obvious to see as they had a painfully awkward exchange at their final press conference on Thursday evening.
Joshua and Dubois will fight for the latter’s IBF heavyweight title in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, and there has been growing tension between the pair.
They sat down for a face-off alongside promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren when the fight was announced in June, but it had to be cut short after Joshua threatened Dubois with a chair after feeling his opponent was disrespecting him.
Joshua was asked to explain on Thursday why he had lost his temper with Dubois, but before he got the chance to answer, Dubois cut in.
‘This is what happens. This is boxing. We’re fighting Saturday. Let’s go,’ Dubois said.
Anthony Joshua (left) and Daniel Dubois (right) had an awkward press conference exchange that saw Dubois seemingly not paying attention to his rival’s question
Tensions have been rising between the pair ahead of their clash at Wembley on Saturday
Joshua seemed a little taken aback before responding: ‘So, as I was saying,’ which drew laughs from the assembled media.
He continued: ‘At the press conference I just feel like you should never give anyone an inch because they’ll end up taking a mile. You know what I mean, Dan?’
Dubois appeared to be in his own little world as there a pause of a few seconds, which felt like a lifetime, before he finally realised he had been asked a question and hesitantly replied: ‘Sorry?’
There were more laughs from the crowd as Joshua shut down the conversation by simply saying: ‘That’s it’.
Thankfully, the time for talking is almost done, and the British duo will get to settle the score in the ring on Saturday night.
Both men look in prime condition and will tip the scales on Friday afternoon before trading punches this weekend.
Joshua is aiming to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis by becoming a three-time heavyweight champion, while Dubois has the chance to prove he belongs at the top table of the division as he makes his first title defence.
