The stars were out at London’s Leicester Square on Tuesday night – none brighter than Anthony Joshua.
The British boxing superstar (28-3) was the headline act as the Grand Arrivals took place ahead of Joshua’s big showdown with fellow Brit Daniel Dubois (21-2) at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
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A record boxing crowd of more than 96,000 will pack the iconic venue when AJ challenges for the IBF heavyweight title held by Dubois. Victory would see him become only the sport’s fifth ever three-time heavyweight king – along with the likes of Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis.
Joshua was mobbed by fans as he arrived on Tuesday night, but despite his global star power he was quick to point out that he has never forgotten his roots, and where he came from.
Joshua still grounded
He explained: “It’s really a blessing. It’s a big blessing. We’re the most important thing for people right now so they’re all here coming out to have a good time with us. It makes me feel important.
“I started boxing late, so I used to, well I still do, look up to a lot of people. I can put myself on the other side of the fence. I’ve been on the other side of the fence. I haven’t always been on the red carpet. I always understand now I’m on the red carpet, how to treat people. I’m never going to turn my nose up at people. That’s just not my style.”
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With just four days to fight night, Joshua is still not locked into fight mode just yet, but he knows that moment is coming very soon.
The moment is almost here
“Massive. It doesn’t feel it at the minute because I’m still in like training camp. On Saturday I’m going to be standing behind a curtain and they’re going to say, ‘Anthony – ten seconds’, and I’m going to walk out into the stadium and I’m going to feel that energy. That’s when it gets real. At the minute we’re still hours away so I’m chilled out.
“Me mentality is, if I draw a line and put fear on one side, and confidence on the other, but I’m still going into the ring – what one am I going to choose? I’m confident. I believe in myself, and I think that’s the right mentality to have.”
A first ever red carpet for AJ
Joshua has topped bills at Madison Square, Wembley and other major venues during his glittering career, but Tuesday night still provided him with a boxing first. A red carpet.
“100% I’ve never had a red carpet in my life. This is a blessing,” he said.
“They’re doing big things. It’s good that we’re doing joint ventures together now. I’ve been in Saudi, it’s good to be home. It’s not small, they’ve made it massive. I’m fighting a Queensberry Promotions fighter as well so it’s a new age for boxing – a golden era if you ask me. I hope that the next generation coming through can benefit from all of this as well. It’s not just about our generation.”
When is Joshua vs Dubois?
The bout goes down on Saturday night (September 21) at Wembley Stadium, with ring walks expected at around 11pm local UK time. That is midnight CET, 6pm Eastern Time or 3pm PST on the West Coast.
How to watch live
The bout will be streamed live by three separate outlets in the UK – all with a PPV price of less than £20. They are DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office.
US fans will be able to buy the fight on DAZN PPV.
