LONDON: London’s Trafalgar Square is a monument to the strong. Kings, generals, vast lions cast in bronze and stone, with the great admiral Lord Nelson perched high atop his column surveying all below.
On Friday, it played host to two of the world’s greatest fighters, men who might as well be chiseled from rock and metal, as they met ahead of their eagerly anticipated showdown for one of the biggest prizes in boxing.
Anthony Joshua, 34, and Daniel Dubois, 27, face off at Wembley Stadium for the IBF world heavyweight title Saturday in the headline event of Riyadh Season’s card of bouts held across the British capital this week. It is set to be witnessed by a record-breaking sellout crowd of 96,000 spectators, with millions more tuning in from around the world — and a taste of the anticipation was felt in central London at the weigh in, which drew a healthy crowd of several thousand more baying fans.
Joshua, the challenger, garnered a rapturous reception when making his way to the stage, with his name ringing around the square to the tune of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” Clearly the favorite — and promoter Eddie Hearn felt the support was more than justified for his man.
“AJ can match him (Dubois) in every physical attribute,” he said, calling Joshua an “adonis who’s in the form of his life.”
He continued that he thought the fight was set to be a “heavyweight classic,” and that Joshua would look to put Dubois “to sleep nice and early,” adding: “I’m so proud of him, and when he becomes three-time world champion tomorrow night, there’ll be a tear in the eye, and it’ll be one of the great nights of British boxing.”
His opposite number, Frank Warren, countered that “there’ll be a lot of tears tomorrow night,” warning: “Daniel’s not coming to make up the numbers.
“He can punch, he’s strong, he’s young, he’s fast. AJ is going to have to be at the top of his game.”
Warren added: “These two guys are going to throw bombs at each other. You’re going to see something extra, extra special.”
He also praised the role played by Riyadh Season and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority in putting up the fight card, and special thanks were given to the Kingdom’s leadership, including King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as GEA Chairman Turki Alalshikh.
“Riyadh Season coming to London has made a major difference. Every day we’ve been at an iconic London venue promoting this fight. Its unbelievable,” Warren said. “This has happened because of Riyadh Season — His Excellency (Turki Alalshikh) and his team have enabled us not just to put this main event together, but also the fabulous undercard.”
At the weigh in, Joshua came in heavier than his opponent at 18 stone to fellow Londoner Dubois’ 17 stone, 10 pounds. The pair stared each other down as they came face to face, but there were no harsh words or throwing of hands, with each affixing the other with a steely, determined stare.
Dubois, the champion, was reticent when interviewed onstage afterwards. “I’m ready to fight,” he said three times. “I’m ready to go, talking’s done.”
Joshua, meanwhile, fed off the crowd’s support, saying he thought of himself “as a gladiator” about to “step into the arena.”
He added to the crowd: “I want to thank you for sticking with me through thick and thin. If I can ask you one favor, go home tonight and make a prayer for me, for success tomorrow, and I will become three-time heavyweight champion of the world.”
