'Gladiator' Joshua heavier than Dubois at weigh-in

Anthony Joshua said helium is "still successful the battlefield" and quashed immoderate proposition of nearing the extremity of his vocation arsenic the Briton weighed successful heaviest for Saturday's world-title situation against Daniel Dubois

Two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua, 34, takes connected Dubois, 27, for the IBF loop astatine Wembley Stadium connected Saturday.

Joshua tipped the scales astatine 18st during an elaborate weigh-in astatine Trafalgar Square, with Dubois astatine a career-heavy 17st 10lb.

"I look astatine myself arsenic a gladiator and I'm going to measurement into the arena time to execute for the people," Joshua said.

"I started precocious successful boxing but it shows you tin execute anything. I'm not a warrior successful the plot yet, I'm inactive connected the battlefield."

The cardinal London landmark was cordoned disconnected for arguably Britain's astir extravagant combat week determination ever.

Double decker buses and achromatic cabs provided the backdrop, with Nelson's Column towering down a signifier placed betwixt the 2 iconic fountains.

Greenwich-born Dubois - conscionable arsenic helium was astatine Thursday's quality conference - kept his words to a minimum.

"I'm acceptable to fight," helium repeated 3 times.

The satellite rubric combat volition beryllium broadcast unrecorded from 19:00 BST connected BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

Traditionally, the champion would weigh-in first, but specified is the lure of household sanction Joshua, helium was 2nd to marque his mode out.

There was a respectful but quiescent reception for Dubois, who was upgraded from 'interim' to satellite champion aft Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF belt.

While galore felt Dubois whitethorn travel successful lighter, helium weighed 4 pounds heavier than his erstwhile bout – an awesome stoppage triumph implicit Filip Hrgovic.

Joshua - who besides weighed 18st for his destructive knockout of Francis Ngannou successful March - has been successful request passim the week, signing autographs and obliging with selfie requests with fans.

"I privation to convey you for sticking with maine done heavy and thin," helium told the hundreds of fans who chanted his name.

"f I tin inquire 1 favour, spell location contiguous and commune for my occurrence time and that I go a three-time champion of the world."

The lawsuit has been organised by Turki Alalshikh, president of Saudi Arabia's wide amusement authority.

Alalshikh says each 96,000 tickets person present been sold, eclipsing the 94,000 attendance for Tyson Fury v Dillian Whyte successful 2022.

In a wide motion of the Kingdom's increasing power connected the sport, combat week festivities were rounded disconnected by yet different quintessential British setting.

Earlier successful the week, determination was a Hollywood reddish carpet-style expansive arrivals lawsuit successful Leicester Square and Wembley Arena was transformed into Buckingham Palace for the unfastened workouts. Thursday's quality league was held successful Guildhall, a 15th period governmental gathering steeped successful history.

There volition beryllium a show from Liam Gallagher connected Saturday, with Oasis fans hoping of an improbable quality by member Noel.

Most importantly, though, the champion amusement should hap successful the ring.

Joshua boasts 25 knockouts successful 28 wins and Dubois has stopped 20 successful 21 victories. This is astir apt the closest you volition get to a guaranteed knockout.