Anthony Joshua reckons he’s fighting ‘new Frank Bruno’ as he gears up for blockbuster heavyweight clash vs Daniel Dubois
ANTHONY JOSHUA reckons he will be fighting the ‘new Frank Bruno’ on Saturday at Wembley.
The Watford icon, 34, sees Daniel Dubois as the latest version of British legend Bruno — who needed four cracks to land a heavyweight world title.
Dynamite Dan has only lost one attempt so far — against Oleksandr Usyk — but also took flak after surrendering to Joe Joyce in his only other loss.
When Bruno won the WBC crown by beating Oliver McCall at Wembley in 1995, it was one of the most beautiful moments in modern boxing memory.
Dubois, 27, backed by Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren, will carry that underdog mentality almost 30 years later — and AJ knows it.
Joshua said: “They believe in him. He keeps getting opportunity after opportunity. It reminds me of the Frank Bruno story.
“He had opportunity after opportunity to become the heavyweight world champion and finally achieved it.”
Defending IBF champ Dubois is flying under latest coach Don Charles.
But it is respected assistant Ian Duberry — brother of ex-Prem defender Michael — who Joshua knows best from his days on remand at Reading prison.
AJ said: “I know Don well but I know Ian Duberry better. He was a mentor and a head of the youth offenders system when I was involved in it.
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“So I know that team and that gym and I know they don’t just work from stats, they work from spirit.”
Rubbing shoulders with the glitterati does not impress old-school fighter AJ.
ANTHONY JOSHUA VS DANIEL DUBOIS: All the information you need ahead of huge world title fight at Wembley
He said: “I’ve never been a person who is caught up in the superstar thing. I just look at the character of people.
“When I learn about their character, I take it back to my community.
“Rather than just be in awe of these people, who everybody admires, I try to tap into their minds and psyches and learn how they got to where they are.
“These people could charge thousands of pounds for meetings — imagine how much a Cristiano Ronaldo consultation would cost — so when I’m ringside with him, I use the chance to pick his brain.”
A possible spring showdown with Tyson Fury for all four world belts is still a dream.
But Joshua claimed: “I’m more of a short-term dreamer.
“I approach every week thinking, ‘What can I achieve this week?’.
“So I’m not looking for undisputed. I’m looking at this week, then the next.”