Anthony Joshua now has the opportunity to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. After being handed down the IBF belt by Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois will be defending the title against the former unified heavyweight champion. An all-British heavyweight showdown at Wembley Stadium on September 21, 2024, would be just the treat the British fans wanted. The pre-fight build-up has also been tense with both fighters showing no signs of mental fragility. “I’ll throw this f***ing chair across your face. Don’t disrespect me,” Joshua said angrily, in one of the interviews, to Dubois who was eager to throwdown during the face-to-face chat itself. Both fighters almost came to blows and the security had to step in to separate the two pugilists. With tensions at a boiling point, you would think no more impetus is required for a violent showdown on the fateful night. Enter HE Turki Alalshikh to pour gasoline on the bonfire.

The word on the street is that a whopping $900 million is on the table for Joshua if he delivers the knockout on the fateful night. Does it even surprise you at this point that HE Alalshikh is willing to throw that much money to witness a knockout? Well, he is currently the talk of the town as he has been able to arrange the fights that the boxing fans want to witness. Most of it can be attributed to the cash he is willing to splurge on fighters. In the pursuit of making boxing great again, do you think HE’s method is viable in the long run or ethical if the rumor is true?

Money makes the world go round? 

Before we delve into the subject, it must be pointed out that the information has not yet been picked up by any credible media organization. So, it is indeed a rumor at this point. But several boxing commentators on social media are running with the story. Firstly, the story was posted on Instagram by birmzisgrime. “Alalshikh guarantees to give Anthony Joshua $900 million if he defeats Daniel Dubois within 5 minutes with 5 punches,” the caption read.

However, what isn’t clear at all is the manner of the knockdown. Does it mean that Joshua has to knock out Dubois with a five-punch combo? Or, does Joshua land five power punches within five minutes of the fight, and by that time it has to be lights out for Dubois? The details are still not clear and a bit sketchy, to be honest.

One YouTube commentator who goes by @Counterpunch Boxing News spoke about how HE’s access to unlimited funds has allowed him to play God in the boxing world.

“I will see you guys fight I’ll give you 20, and you, and if you knock them out they’ll give you another 30… it’s like he doesn’t care about money,obviously. To give this man 900 million,  you understand what 900 million means…$900 million is more 10 times more eight times more than Tyson Fury got [for Usyk fight].”

Clearly, this incentive will make the fight more exciting with Joshua looking for an early KO. Considering his last fight against Ngannou, he is definitely capable of a devastating knockout win. But, on the flip side, to get the KO, he might throw his entire game plan out of the window and play into Dubois’ hands. It begs another question: Does Tyson Fury also demand such kind of bonuses for the Usyk fight? Certainly, it would make the matchups in boxing more exciting.

But, if some fans are to be believed, it skews the boundaries of legality in the betting market. The astronomical numbers that are being thrown around leave the door open for match-fixing. How would you like it if you found out that the KOs dished out by your favorite fighter turned out to be a scam? Nonetheless, humility is out of the window as Anthony Joshua is rearing to go as he wants to teach the younger fighter Dubois a lesson.

Dubois won’t be intimidated!

In a short face-to-face interview recorded by DAZN, Joshua stated that he was “ready to fight” the 26-year-old ‘Dynamite’. Feeling no fear, Daniel said, “Let’s go. If he wants to swing, let’s go now.” The comment seemed to piss Joshua off and he threatened to throw a chair at the younger fighter. “’Shut Up, relax, relax…ll throw this [expletive] chair across your face. Don’t disrespect me,” he said.

In response, Daniel said with a straight face, “Don’t intimidate me…don’t intimidate me, who do you think you are?” At this point, both fighters got up and were almost coming to blows when the security stepped in to prevent the conflict from getting out of hand.

Who do you think will win the fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois? Let us know in the comment section below.