Anthony Joshua has acknowledged enduring “a lot of pain” over the past two years as he prepares to challenge fellow British heavyweight Daniel Dubois in his bid to become a three-time world champion.
The 34-year-old is set to face IBF titleholder Dubois, 27, in front of a record-breaking post-war British crowd of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Joshua, who worked his way back to the mandatory challenger position, broke down in tears following his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022.
“I’ve worked hard and been through a lot of pain, and I’ve worked hard to get better,” he told BBC Sport.
“Hopefully those experiences won’t happen again because as you saw that night, I don’t like losing.”
The 2012 Olympic gold medallist is currently on a four-fight winning streak, having delivered a devastating knockout against Francis Ngannou in his most recent fight.
“I think I’m gifted with an ability to fight and compete,” Joshua said. “In boxing you’re able to read certain tendencies, you’re able to read your opponent, so I can always have an eye for that.
“But there’s a supreme level that you can take it to. And it’s happened over the past eight or 10 months. I’ve really honed in on those skills.”
‘I was saying stay in your lane’
Joshua and Dubois came face-to-face at Monday’s media day held at the stylish Old Billingsgate venue in London, with the iconic Tower Bridge serving as the backdrop, marking the official start of fight week.
The more experienced Joshua, headlining a UK stadium fight for the sixth time, appeared relaxed and at ease with his press commitments throughout the day.
Following an intense stare-down, Joshua interacted with the crowd, posing for photos and even accepting a fan’s request for a hug.
In contrast, Dubois seemed more focused and eager to move past the media obligations.
This was their first meeting since a June press conference, where a private face-off earlier in the day led to Joshua threatening to throw a chair at Dubois.
“I was just basically saying ‘stay in your lane’. I don’t expect respect from him but I’m ready to earn my respect from him,” Joshua reflected on the confrontation.
Joshua has the opportunity to join heavyweight legends Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko in becoming a three-time world champion.
The long-awaited fight with Tyson Fury might also be on the horizon, but Joshua is refusing to overlook the hard-hitting Dubois.
“He is a good fighter, a brilliant fighter,” Joshua said. “Everyone speaks highly of him. I think they underestimate me as well, so I will go out there and prove how good I am.”