In the world of boxing, rumors and stories about gym wars and sparring sessions are often as compelling as the fights themselves. Recently, a claim by British boxer Anthony Fowler added fuel to the fire surrounding Anthony Joshua’s upcoming fight against Daniel Dubois. Fowler, who has trained alongside Joshua, made headlines when he alleged that Joshua’s “legs turned to jelly” during a sparring session with Dubois—a comment that quickly went viral in boxing circles.
While sparring stories are usually kept behind closed doors, this claim piqued the interest of fans and pundits, especially as it involves two of the biggest names in British heavyweight boxing. However, Joshua has wasted no time in addressing the rumors, offering a calm but firm response to Fowler’s statement.
Anthony Fowler’s Claim: A Flashpoint
Anthony Fowler, a former amateur standout and current professional boxer, stoked the flames when he revealed that he had witnessed Joshua being hurt by Daniel Dubois during a sparring session. According to Fowler, Dubois landed a series of heavy punches that left Joshua visibly shaken, to the point where, in Fowler’s words, “his legs turned to jelly.”
Fowler’s comments, made during a podcast interview, created a buzz in the boxing community. Many fans interpreted the story as a sign that Joshua might struggle in his upcoming bout against Dubois, questioning whether the former two-time world champion could handle the younger, hard-hitting heavyweight in a real fight. Given Joshua’s past difficulties with fighters who bring pressure, such as Andy Ruiz Jr., the notion that Dubois could potentially hurt him in sparring added a layer of intrigue to their future showdown.
Joshua’s Calm Response
Despite the whirlwind of speculation, Anthony Joshua’s response to Fowler’s claims has been measured and composed. In a recent interview, Joshua addressed the rumor with a sense of humor and pragmatism, neither denying the sparring session nor directly disputing the details. Instead, he emphasized the nature of sparring as a place where fighters test their limits and improve.
“Sparring is sparring,” Joshua remarked. “That’s where you push yourself, take risks, and learn. It’s not about winning or losing in the gym—it’s about getting better. So if my legs did wobble at some point, it just means I was giving it my all in training.”
Joshua also dismissed the idea that sparring incidents should be used as a predictor for actual fight outcomes. “What happens in the gym stays in the gym. People love to gossip about sparring, but the truth is, sparring is where you make mistakes so you don’t make them in the ring. I’ve sparred with all sorts of fighters over the years, and I’ve never taken sparring too seriously when it comes to predictions for fights,” he explained.
Joshua’s calm demeanor in addressing the rumors reflects his experience as a seasoned veteran in the sport. Having fought in high-pressure situations throughout his career, including world championship bouts and blockbuster showdowns, Joshua is no stranger to criticism and speculation. His response highlights his focus on preparation and resilience, rather than getting caught up in gym stories.
Dubois: Silent but Dangerous
While Joshua has responded to the claim, Daniel Dubois has remained relatively quiet on the matter, choosing not to comment on the sparring story. However, the mere fact that Dubois’ power has become a topic of conversation ahead of their potential fight speaks volumes about his reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the heavyweight division.
Dubois has long been known for his aggressive style and knockout power, attributes that have earned him an impressive record of 18 knockouts in 20 victories. His ability to finish fights early makes him a legitimate threat to anyone in the heavyweight division, including Joshua. For Dubois, letting his fists do the talking in the ring might be the best strategy as the fight builds in anticipation.
The claim that Dubois hurt Joshua in sparring has only added to the perception that the young heavyweight could pose serious problems for his more experienced opponent. Still, it remains to be seen whether Dubois can replicate the same kind of success in a sanctioned bout, especially under the bright lights and high stakes of a title fight.
Sparring Stories: Fact or Fiction?
The world of boxing is filled with sparring stories, many of which are difficult to verify or interpret. Fighters regularly push themselves to their limits in sparring, experimenting with new strategies and techniques, which sometimes leaves them vulnerable to mistakes or even getting hurt. For this reason, sparring anecdotes often don’t tell the full story of a fighter’s capabilities or readiness for a real bout.
In fact, many champions, including Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, have reportedly been rocked or knocked down in sparring, only to dominate their opponents when it mattered most in the ring. Joshua himself has addressed this phenomenon, stating, “What happens in sparring and what happens in the ring are two completely different things. You’re not going full pace, you’re working on stuff, and it’s not the same as fight night.”
For Joshua, sparring with someone like Dubois—an up-and-coming fighter with raw power—provides valuable preparation for the kind of challenges he might face in real fights. However, as Joshua and many other fighters have pointed out, sparring should be seen as practice, not a precursor to future outcomes.
What This Means for Joshua vs. Dubois
The sparring story, while sensational, is unlikely to affect Joshua’s mental approach to his fight with Dubois. If anything, it highlights the level of competition and danger both fighters bring to the ring. Joshua, as a two-time world champion with victories over top fighters like Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin, has already faced some of the hardest punchers in the division. He understands that facing Dubois will require him to be at his best, but he remains confident in his ability to handle the younger challenger.
Meanwhile, Dubois will likely see this as an opportunity to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses. The 26-year-old fighter has long been touted as the future of British heavyweight boxing, and a win over Joshua would cement his status as a top contender for world titles. However, Joshua’s experience, ring IQ, and adaptability make him a dangerous opponent for any fighter, especially one like Dubois who is still developing his skills.
The Final Verdict
As Joshua prepares for what could be one of the most significant fights of his career, the sparring story involving Dubois adds another layer of intrigue to their impending showdown. However, Joshua’s measured response and focus on the bigger picture suggest that he is not rattled by the rumors.
In boxing, as in life, talk is cheap, and the only real answers come in the ring. Joshua has faced adversity before—both in the gym and on the world stage—and he will undoubtedly be ready to prove that his legs, far from turning to jelly, are as strong as ever when it comes time to step between the ropes.
For now, fans will have to wait and see if Dubois can capitalize on any lessons learned in sparring or if Joshua’s experience and power will once again carry him to victory. One thing is for sure: when these two British heavyweights finally meet, the eyes of the boxing world will be watching closely.