Meditation and visualisation will play a big part in helping reigning IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois prepare for his showdown with Anthony Joshua

Daniel Dubois will be meditating over, and visualising how, he plans to defeat Anthony Joshua when they meet at Wembley Stadium on September 21.

The IBF world heavyweight champion takes on the former unified king of the division in a blockbuster clash, live on Sky Sports Box Office, where the winner will be line to face the victor of the Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch later this year.

Dubois already has visions of standing across the ring from Wembley against Joshua and how he believes the contest will end and will be focusing hard in training camp to ensure that becomes a reality on fight night.

“When I’m in training camp, I sharpen up my mind,” Dubois told Sky Sports. “I play out the fight over and over, and just meditation and just visualising.

“I do a lot of that, and the sparring helps. The camp atmosphere all helps as well.

“This fight sells itself, based off me and AJ and what we both bring – and what I bring especially.

“We’ll see as it goes on, but I’m going to be in camp, locked in and focused. I’ll have tunnel vision about getting that victory.”

September 21 will not be the first time Dubois and Joshua have shared a ring, with the duo having sparred together when the former was part of the Great Britain amateur squad.

There have been rumours Joshua was knocked down by his future opponent in one session, although the former champion has denied that.

Dubois insists he has no memories of those sessions either and even if he did, is adamant they would be of no relevance as he has come on so much as a boxer since then.

“Those spars were seven years ago, and I can’t remember a thing about them, to be honest,” Dubois said.

Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his willingness to face Anthony Joshua for a third time, following his upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury in December.

The Ukrainian boxing star, who sat down with Mail Sport in Poland earlier this month, reflected on his recent victory over Fury and discussed potential future bouts.

Usyk secured a split-decision win over Fury on May 18, with judges scoring the fight 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury, and 114-113 Usyk, making him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999.

Fury, now with a professional record of 34-1-1, will seek redemption in their highly anticipated rematch on December 21. However, Usyk remains confident in his ability to secure another victory over the Gypsy King.

When asked about his plans following the Fury rematch, Usyk revealed to Mail Sport that he would consider a trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua.

He acknowledged the significant role Joshua played in elevating his profile.

“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight,” Usyk declared.

“From my point of view, I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights.

“Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God’s help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony.”

Usyk vs. Joshua Fights: Career-defining rivalry

The first two encounters between Usyk and Joshua were pivotal moments in both fighters’ careers. The initial bout took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, where Joshua defended his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against the former undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Usyk, who had moved up to heavyweight, was considered a dangerous but manageable opponent for Joshua, who had the advantages of size and power.

From the opening bell, Usyk’s superior footwork, speed, and technical prowess were evident. Utilizing his southpaw stance effectively, Usyk outmaneuvered Joshua throughout the fight, landing clean shots and disrupting the British heavyweight’s rhythm.

As the fight progressed, it became clear that Usyk was in control, ultimately earning a unanimous decision victory and handing Joshua his second career defeat.

The rematch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw a more determined Joshua, who adopted a more aggressive approach, focusing on body shots and trying to close the distance. The fight was more competitive, with Joshua finding success in the middle rounds.

However, Usyk’s adaptability and resilience allowed him to regain control in the later rounds, particularly with a strong finish. The final decision was again in Usyk’s favor, this time by split decision, leaving Joshua unable to reclaim his belts despite a spirited effort.

OLEKSANDR USYK’S team have set a staggering price for a “complicated” trilogy fight against Anthony Joshua.

Usyk ripped away the unified WBA, IBF and WBO belts from AJ in 2021 before retaining them in their rematch a year later.

READ MORE:Why Mike Tyson breaks down and analyses every active elite heavyweight boxer including Anthony Joshua

So it leaves promoter Alex Krassyuk expecting a third bout to be a tough sell for fans.

Krassyuk told Boxing King Media: “Anthony Joshua was talking about the third fight. He’s a great champ.

“He’s changed a lot since the two fights with Usyk. We’ve seen him going down and see him rising up.

“It’s also a complicated fight to make. I’ll tell you why – because now we are on different levels.

RELATED:Why Floyd Mayweather puts Anthony Joshua above Mike Tyson in controversial all-time heavyweight rankings

“The first fight, Usyk was almost no-name and Anthony Joshua was a massive star in the UK.

“After he beat him twice, Anthony Joshua still remains a massive star here no matter what.

“So this fight might be something that attracts attention from the whole world.”

Usyk, 37, is believed to have earned around £50million for his pair of wins over Joshua, 34.

UPDATE:Joe Rogan& Damning Verdict On Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury

But Krassyuk wants to quadruple that figure for a trilogy clash.

Win lose or draw, Anthony Joshua always seems to come in for criticism.

So far in his 31-fight career, Joshua has lost only three times. The first was an upset against Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019 which he quickly avenged in December of the same year.

The other two were back-to-back 12-round contests against the soon-to-be undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk. Despite winning rounds on the cards and not being put down, many people claimed Joshua was done.

He has disproved that by coming back with four wins, three by knockout, and now he is to take on Daniel Dubois as he attempts to become a three-time heavyweight champion.

However, contender Jarrell Miller – who recently lost to Dubois – claims Joshua has only looked good in those fights because the opponents had no power.

Speaking to BoxNation, he was asked if he still thinks he will fight Joshua one day after missing out in June 2019 when he tested positive for banned substances late in the day.

“I think it still happens, but like I said before If I’d got that win against Dubois it would have been me against ‘AJ’ not Francis Ngannou against ‘AJ’. I think it still happens. I get a win under my belt and I’m top two, top three rankings and people want that fight.”

“Look who he’s fighting. He’s fighting guys who don’t really have punching power so it makes him a little more aggressive coming in. He’s fighting guys aggressive who he knows he can fight aggressively cause he knows they’re not scary. When he’s fighting guys who are scary he’s not going to fight the same way.”