Anthony Joshua has shared twelve rounds with Joseph Parker and five with Daniel Dubois, and will be ringside when the two face off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia next month.
Joshua beat Parker to unify the heavyweight titles back in 2018. Though the New Zealander lost a unanimous decision, he became the first man to force ‘AJ’ to go the full distance, showing a grit that would continue to serve him as he made his comeback.
Since then, Parker has lost to Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce, but recent wins over big punchers Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang set him up for a shot at the IBF belt, currently held by Dubois.
‘Dynamite’ Dubois was elevated to full champion after beating Filip Hrgovic and made the first defence of his title in emphatic fashion, battering Joshua at Wembley Stadium and stopping him in the fifth.
With both men in fine form, the title clash is an excellent start to 2025 for the sport’s biggest division. Joshua is well-placed to pick a winner, and has announced a prediction challenge with Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh.
“22nd of February. It’s gonna be big. Make sure you tune in. I’m actually gonna come out to Saudi and watch the fight between Joseph Parker and Daniel Dubois. Good luck to both men. Me and His Excellency, we have an agreement. He picks his side, I pick my side and we see who wins.”
‘AJ’ then backed Parker to win the fight and become a two-time world champion. He may well then target a rematch, having made it clear that he is looking to hold a belt once more.
