Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has moved out of his mother’s north London flat into a new mansion, just ahead of his highly anticipated bout against Daniel Dubois. The 2012 Olympic champion, who has amassed nearly £100 million in earnings, recently revealed his decision to relocate, highlighting his close bond with his mother, Yeta, and his desire to ensure her well-being before making the move.
“I didn’t want to leave my mom alone,” Joshua shared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. “I wanted to make sure that her foundations were strong—the nest was strong—so that when I leave, mom’s good. For me, that’s freedom. Knowing no matter where I am in the world, mom’s happy and taken care of.”
Joshua, a British-Nigerian fighter, is set to face fellow Brit Daniel Dubois on September 21 at Wembley Stadium in London for the IBF belt. This fight comes after current titleholder Oleksandr Usyk confirmed he would vacate the world title. Usyk, who became the first heavyweight to hold the IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBC belts simultaneously after defeating Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia last month, was mandated by the IBF to face its mandatory challenger, Dubois, to retain the title.
Dubois, who recently beat Filip Hrgovic to become the interim IBF champion, expressed his determination to dethrone the two-time world champion, Joshua. “That’s just what I’m aiming for—to be the best,” Dubois stated. “To fight the best and beat the best. Joshua has been the king for a long time. On the night, I need to become the king slayer. That’s my goal, and that’s the mission I have. I’m ready to let my fists do the talking. A hundred percent ready to go, train like a beast. So bring it on.”
Joshua, 34, has faced defeat twice at the hands of Usyk in 2021 and 2022, while Dubois was also knocked out by the Ukrainian last year. However, Joshua is currently on a four-fight winning streak, with three stoppages in his last three outings. This upcoming bout will mark his fourth appearance at Wembley, while Dubois will be stepping into the spotlight at the national stadium for the first time.
“Congratulations to Daniel for winning his last fight (against Hrgovic); I went to watch it live,” Joshua said. “It was a good fight between the two of them. I picked Dubois to win as well; I watch boxing closely, and I picked him before. He came through, and we are here. I’ve been having Dubois on my mind for a while. He’ll be on my mind for the next 12 weeks until I’ve got my hand raised.”
The stage is set for an electrifying showdown as Joshua and Dubois prepare to clash at Wembley, with both fighters eager to prove themselves and claim the IBF title.
