- Anthony Joshua aims to reclaim the IBF world heavyweight title in his fight against Daniel Dubois at Wembley
- Joshua stands to earn up to £25 million, while Dubois could earn £10 million
- UFC fighter Israel Adesanya has bet $10,000 on Joshua to win between rounds 10 and 12
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua is on the verge of potentially making history once again as he eyes his third world championship title. The stage is now set for Wembley Stadium, where the 34-year-old will take on Daniel Dubois for the IBF world heavyweight belt later today, September 21.
With the energy of London fans behind him, Joshua, who has bounced back with four consecutive victories since his losses to Oleksandr Usyk, is determined to climb back to the pinnacle of boxing. Dubois, however, stands in his way as a dangerous challenger in a fight that already seems a difficult hurdle but filled with high stakes.
The excitement is building for this highly anticipated bout, scheduled for Saturday night, September 21. Preliminary matches are set to begin at 4 PM, while the main event, where Joshua and Dubois will finally meet in the ring, is expected around 9:45 PM.
Weighing in four pounds heavier than Dubois, Joshua appeared confident and ready, despite Dubois himself registering his career-heaviest weight. Greeted by a mix of cheers and boos from the home crowd, Joshua, the Nigerian boxer pleads with the fans, saying,
“You’ve been with me through my ups and downs. If I can ask you one favour, pray for me, for my success and for me to become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.”
The tension between the fighters has been very obvious all week, with heated confrontations and intense stare-downs pointing to a fierce contest ahead. This fight is not just about the IBF title, it’s about pride and the opportunity to challenge the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch.
As Joshua gears up to fight tonight on one of the world’s biggest stages, he recently declared, “I’m a gladiator and I’m about to step into an arena to perform for the people. I’m pumped and ready to perform.”
Dubois, the current IBF titlist following his interim belt’s upgrade, is equally determined, he mentioned that,
“A lot of work and training has gone into this, and I’m just ready to go now, a win, by any means necessary.”
With an impressive record of 21 wins out of 23 fights, including notable victories against Filip Hrgovic and Jarrell Miller, Dubois knows what’s on the line.
Financially, the bout is lucrative. Joshua is expected to earn a guaranteed £6 million (approximately N13 billion), with his total earnings potentially rising to £25 million (N54 billion) depending on pay-per-view sales. In contrast, Dubois is set to receive £3.5 million ($4.4 million), with his earnings potentially reaching £10 million ($12.5 million).
Nigerian UFC star Israel Adesanya has also added to the buzz, placing a $10,000 bet on Joshua to win between the 10th and 12th rounds with a win potential of $50,000. In a social media post, Adesanya wrote, “ÒGÚN‼ This fight got beef…grab the #stake sauce.”
Nigerian star Israel Adesanya pockets staggering money despite loss to Du Plessis in UFC 305 final
Previously, TheRadar reported that Adesanya, known as 'The Last Stylebender', is set to earn a guaranteed $750,000 for the UFC 305 fight, while Du Plessis is set to collect $500,000.
With the anticipated strong performance of the pay-per-view broadcast, both fighters are expected to walk away with earnings well into seven figures. Du Plessis earned slightly less than Adesanya despite his victory.
