Anthony Joshua has rubbished claimed that Daniel Dubois 'turned his legs to jelly' during a sparring session years ago ahead of their IBF heavyweight title fight at Wembley on Saturday.
It was the first time, all the way back in 2016, that the two boxers had met each other when their careers were right at the start.
Former boxer Anthony Fowler claimed to have watch the two heavyweights while sparring as Dubois sent Joshua crashing to the canvas and turned his legs 'to jelly'.
"Joshua must have been a little clumsy sparring him and he got caught with a short left hook and Joshua's legs completely went.
Anthony Joshua has reacted to a story about Daniel Dubois knocking him down
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"Dubois could have hit him again and put him to sleep but Dubois had a bit too much respect for him to finish him off.
"Obviously, everyone was stood there like 'Wow' and Joshua went and jogged around the ring because his legs were like jelly and he was trying to get his legs back."
Joshua has hit back at Fowler, insisting the 33-year-old has an ulterior motive for his story.
He told iFL TV: "One of the coaches called me and was like, 'He's a snake, that was never like that.'
"He's trying to promote CBD, innit? I don't know, why didn't he throw another punch?
"Dubois hit me with a left hook, I was a bit like 'corr wow', but that was it.
"For me it's irrelevant, but I don't know we will see after the 12th round this weekend."
Fowler has responded to Joshua and doubled down on his claims, saying: "Had a lot of DMs today which made me laugh, I have got no reason to lie, I’ve retired.
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Daniel Dubois allegedly turned Anthony Joshua 'to jelly'
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"May the best man win, I still think AJ but wouldn’t surprise me at all if Daniel’s wins, he’s younger and fresher and bangs HARD.
"The CBD shout got me. But he knows I’m only telling the truth, it means nothing now anyway."
AJ's response has reignited the infamous tale in 2016 where Dubois, just a young amateur at the time, took to the ring with Joshua.
Having just beaten Charles Martin, ironically winning the IBF heavyweight title, Joshua was making quite the name after also beating Dillian Whyte a year before.
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Anthony Joshua denied the story ever happened
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Now the two fighters will meet professionally in front of a sold-out Wembley on Saturday in an all-British affair.
Joshua might be the slight favourite but there is no discounting Dubois, renowned for his extraordinary power and fighting to defend his IBF title for the first time.
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