Talk Sports co-host Simon Jordan has often been critical of two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. But, on what can only be described as a rare occasion, he has dished out praise for AJ as he is gearing up to go against Daniel Dubois on September 21. A possible win would make Joshua a three-time heavyweight champion. However, the former super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has a huge issue with Jordan placing Joshua in the “realm of immortality” if he defeats Dubois in the IBF title fight.

‘The Cobra’ argued that the title that Joshua and Dubois will be fighting over has been handed down to them by the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Oleksandr Usyk. Notably, Usyk vacated the IBF title after he couldn’t defend it against his mandatory challenger Dubois on time, as he was contractually obligated to fight Tyson Fury again in a rematch on December 21, 2024. Thereafter,  Daniel Dubois was elevated to the status of IBF heavyweight champion.

On that note, Froch ranted, “[Simon Jordan said] that ‘if AJ beats Dubois and becomes a three-time world champion then he is in the realm of immortality’ – sorry Simon but that is bulls–t.” Further emphasizing the fact that Anthony Joshua will be fighting for a belt that was stripped off Oleksandr Usyk, he stated, “You can’t say that by winning a title that has been stripped off of the champion [he has become immortal]. That is the problem that I have got with this title being fragmented or vacated or taken off of the real champion – which is Usyk. That is my main problem.”

Furthermore, he said that the statement from Jordan was disrespectful to the legacy left behind by former world champions like Lennox Lewis who became the undisputed champion in 1999 by defeating the boxing legend Evander Holyfield in the three-belt era. “Immortality? You are comparing him with the likes of Lennox Lewis, for example. Come on, you can’t compare those CVs,” Froch said.

Interestingly, Usyk, who vacated the IBF belt, defeated AJ twice. Joshua lost his unified heavyweight title to Usyk in 2021. In the rematch too, AJ failed to regain his titles. Taking the aforementioned fact into account, Froch further remarked, “If AJ beats Dubois, then he is going to hold his hand up with that IBF heavyweight belt and say I am now the three-time heavyweight world champion. Everybody with a brain is going to be saying ‘hang on a minute, didn’t you lose to the guy that you have just took that belt off?’.

“Simon Jordan probably didn’t fully understand what he was saying there because he’s not in the realm of immortality by beating somebody’s belt that is taken off them,” he further added.

Meanwhile, Joshua’s upcoming opponent is hellbent on not showing any respect to him when they meet inside the squared circle.

Dubois tells Anthony Joshua to choose another profession if he wants respect!

The Joshua-Dubois fight had a tense build-up to it. Ahead of the all-British heavyweight showdown at Wembley Stadium on September 21, both fighters met for a face-to-face chat in June, where AJ was frustrated by Dubois’ antics. Dubois showed eagerness to throwdown then and there, which rubbed off the more experienced British fighter. “I’ll throw this f—ing chair across your face. Don’t disrespect me.” Joshua ragingly stated. Both fighters almost came to blows, but they were separated by the security at the right moment before it could have turned into an ugly brawl.

Talking about the incident recently in an interview with Queensbury Promotions, Dubois stated that if AJ wants respect boxing is the wrong profession to demand it. “Is there respect in that ring? At the end of the day, this is a fight. If you want respect go and become a lawyer or a doctor,” Dubois stated. Clearly, the twenty-six-year-old fighter is ready for war and is showing no signs of mental fragility. On the other hand, the thirty-four-year-old Joshua won’t let that snide remark go unpunished, as he will be looking to make Dubois pay for the disrespect.

Do you think Anthony Joshua can defeat Daniel Dubois and become the four-division champion? Or, will Dubois be successful in his IBF title defense? Let us know in the comment section below.