Daniel Dubois has overcome long-standing doubts and setbacks to reclaim his place as a formidable force in the heavyweight division.

After dominant wins against Jared Miller and Filip Hrgovic, Dubois has left no room for doubt about his potential, making it impossible for the division to ignore his ascent.

With Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk nearing the twilight of their careers, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for Dubois to establish his mark on the big stage.

Five years after being crowned the WBO global heavyweight champion, Dubois is set to return to Wembley Stadium, this time defending his IBF title against Anthony Joshua. For Joshua, the upcoming bout is a crucial step on his path to redemption, as he seeks to reclaim his place at the top after losses to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Usyk. A victory on September 21 would not only make him a world champion for the third time but also position him for a shot against the winner of the anticipated Fury-Usyk rematch. However, Dubois is not ready to let ‘AJ’ seize this opportunity without a fight.

In the lead-up to their fight, tensions between Dubois and Joshua have been palpable, with a near altercation during their face-off two months ago. As the fight approaches, the video of their heated exchange has resurfaced, heightening anticipation. During the confrontation, DAZN presenter Ade Oladipo praised Dubois for his recent performances, particularly his victory over Hrgovic, and recognized Dubois’ journey from adversity to success. Despite early criticisms questioning his resilience, Oladipo commended Dubois for proving his critics wrong, stating, “You’ve shown people now in your last two fights you are the real deal; you are coming into your best.”

Dubois reflected on his struggles, admitting he was once in a “dark place” but has since “resurrected” himself. Now, with the spotlight back on him, Dubois feels prepared for the biggest challenge of his career. Acknowledging Joshua’s long-standing dominance in the sport, Dubois emphasized that it’s time for the title to change hands. “He’s been the king for a long time, but you know what? I feel like it’s my time, and I’m a king slayer, and I’ve got to do that again,” he said, making it clear that he won’t easily relinquish his hard-earned championship to Joshua.

Dubois nearly etched his name in boxing history when he faced Oleksandr Usyk last year. Although he lost by a ninth-round knockout, a controversial fifth-round punch that knocked Usyk down was ruled an illegal blow, stirring debate in the boxing community. Many believed the punch was legal, and had it been ruled in Dubois’s favor, the trajectory of the heavyweight division might have shifted dramatically. Rather than dwelling on the past, Dubois used the experience as motivation to come back stronger. He dismantled Jared Miller during the Anthony Joshua-Otto Wallin ‘Day of Reckoning’ event and then defeated Filip Hrgovic at the ‘Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5’ card, which earned him the interim IBF title.

Now, on September 21, Dubois has a golden opportunity to solidify his status as the future of heavyweight boxing and to ensure that his name is enshrined in the sport’s history books. As he steps into the ring against Joshua, Dubois is determined to prove that his rise is not a fluke and that he deserves to stand among the greats of the division. The stage is set, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the 36-year-old as he looks to cement his legacy.