Dubois, Joyce And Anthony Joshua Are Turning London Into A Boxing Mecca In 2020

2020 just got that tad more exciting. Mark 11 April in your calendar sports fans as Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce face-off at the London O2 Arena in what seems set to be one of the blockbuster boxing bonanzas of the year as the two undefeated pugilists go head-to-head. One of those peerless records is looking likely to be broken.

Following the announcement by promoter Frank Warren, Dubois wrote on Twitter that he was going to produce "the most devastating performance of my career".

Joyce also posted on Twitter and said: "This is the fight the fans have been calling for and I'm delighted it's signed and sealed. I will deliver when I destroy Daniel Dubois."

It’s another occasion to help certify London’s status as not just simply the British capital but arguably the world’s boxing capital, with Watford’s world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua setting his heart on a homecoming after back-to-back bouts with Andy Ruiz Jr. in New York City and Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

Well, forget the Middle East and ‘Merica. Madison Square Garden may be perhaps the most famous events arena on the planet, and the nation of Saudi Arabia went all out to construct a stunning open-air 15,000 seater venue from scratch, but Joshua in London offers the opportunity for the mooted marquee of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to exhibit itself in all its glory.

Opening in April 2019, the stadium in N17 may serve predominantly the Premier League club but it is ultimately a multi-purpose venue ready to showcase premier events across the spectrum.  For example, underneath the grass field used for Spurs’ football matches is a synthetic surface that has already been deployed for the use of travelling NFL games. Guns n Roses are also scheduled to perform later this year.

The stadium lies just 20 miles east of Joshua’s hometown of Watford, with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn informing Sky Sports that for the 30-years-old’s next fight after reclaiming his titles, there is one clear destination.

"We've had offers in from the Far East, Middle East, Africa, America, Turkey,” Hearn stated. However, the fighter’s desire lies elsewhere. "He wants to fight in London in June. Spurs is the frontrunner and that's what he's asked me to do." 

Hearn disclosed, “He's made it very clear to me, 'I want to come home’. 

“‘I've been to Madison Square Garden, I've been to Saudi Arabia, bring me home’. 

“Forget the other offers, bring me home'."

Joshua occupies a universe which he shares with compatriot Tyson Fury, and one which either Dubois and Joyce, though less rambunctious, will no doubt enter with victory over the other.

The sceptered isle is once again commanding attention, illuminating British prowess and its healthiness in the world of boxing. A heavyweight title bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury is what the world wants to see. Fury, for his part, will first have to overcome his old rival Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas in February.