Anthony Joshua will headline a stadium fight for the first time in three years when he takes on IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in a high-stakes showdown Saturday, Sept. 21, at Wembley Stadium. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by DAZN PPV.
WATCH: Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois, live on DAZN
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) is looking to become the fifth man in history to hold a heavyweight championship on three occasions. Only Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield (four-time winner), Lennox Lewis and Michael Moorer have done it before him.
In June, Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) posted a career-best triumph over previously unbeaten Filip Hrgovic, whom he stopped in eight rounds to win the interim IBF championship. Weeks later, Dubois was upgraded to full champion when Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Dubois last year, relinquished the title.
The Sporting News takes a look at the odds for the main event and the undercard and predicts the outcome of all the bouts on the show.
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois odds, betting
Per BetMGM, Joshua is the -400 favorite while Dubois is the +300 underdog. The draw is +2200.
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois prediction
When two authentic knockout artists square off, there’s the tendency to think the fight will be over in a hurry. However, what often happens in a puncher vs. puncher matchup is that both respect each other’s power so much that a tactical battle transpires.
There’s sure to be plenty of heavy hitting, but I think we’ll see a lot of technical boxing in this fight, too. Both men have cerebral and accomplished trainers in their corners and strategy will be key with so much on the line.
Since teaming up with trainer Ben Davison and boxing coach/video analyst Lee Wylie, Joshua gradually has developed into an economical, patient and highly effective boxer-puncher. He broke down Otto Wallin with the jab and the straight right hand to head and body, forcing the Swedish lefty to quit on his stool at the end of five rounds. And while the Francis Ngannou fight was over in two, Joshua didn’t waste a punch.
Dubois cannot be underestimated, and he’s an improving fighter. Perpetually written off after the stoppage loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, the Londoner has shown serious fighting heart in wins over Jarrell Miller and Hrgovic. However, there are holes in the IBF champ’s defenses and that spells trouble against a puncher like AJ.
I believe Joshua is the better boxer and has more tools. He’s accurate and versatile with excellent counterpunching ability. Over time, I see Joshua breaking Dubois down and forcing a late stoppage.
Prediction: Joshua TKO 10
MORE: SN’s Top 12 best heavyweight boxers
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois undercard predictions
Liam Smith vs. Josh Kelly
- Fighter 1: -110, Fighter 2: +100, Draw: +1600
Middleweight non-title fight
Smith (33-4-1) is favored because he’s an absolute warrior with bags of experience at the world level. But while Kelly (15-1-1) isn’t the better fighter, he could be catching the 36-year-old ex-champ at the right time.
Prediction: Kelly UD 12
Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Tyler Denny
- Fighter 1: -700, Fighter 2: +450, Draw: +2000
European middleweight title fight
Tyler Denny (19-2-3) is a quality operator and the reigning European middleweight champion. However, Hamzah Sheeraz (20-0) is one of the most exciting young fighters in the world today and he’s on the cusp of a title shot. Sheeraz by stoppage.
Prediction: Sheeraz TKO 5
Anthony Cacace vs. Josh Warrington
- Fighter A: -275, Fighter B: +225, Draw: +1600
IBF super featherweight title fight
This is similar to the Kelly vs. Smith fight. Warrington (31-3-1) was once the best featherweight in the world, but the wars appear to be catching up with him. The 35-year-old Cacace (22-1) is two years older, but he’s the fresher fighter of the two.
Prediction: Cacace UD 12
Joshua Buatsi vs. Willy Hutchinson
- Fighter A: -225, Fighter: B: + 190, Draw: +1600
WBO interim light heavyweight title fight
This is arguably the most attractive undercard fight on the show. Hutchinson (18-1) turned in a better performance in outpointing Craig Richards in June than Buatsi (18-0) did in 2022, but that’s not how boxing works. Hutchinson has the ring IQ to make this a very tough night for Buatsi, but I think the Englishman will get over the line on points.
Prediction: Buatsi UD 12
Mark Chamberlain vs. Josh Padley
- Fighter A: -2000, Fighter B: +900, Draw: +2000
Lightweight non-title bout
Both fighters are unbeaten, but Chamberlain (16-0) has been mixing in better company than Padley (14-0) and has a higher ceiling. Chamberlain by mid-round stoppage after an entertaining fight.
Prediction: Chamberlain TKO 6