'I fought Anthony Joshua – this is what it really feels like to be punched by him'

Anthony Joshua is set to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF belt at Wembley Stadium - and has left a lasting impression on a number of his previous opponents

Anthony Joshua will be aiming to become a three-time world champion against Daniel Dubois this weekend - but has already collected a long list of knockout wins in his career.

AJ became a unified heavyweight champion with a run of 20 consecutive stoppage victories, including four world title defences, before ever hearing the final bell. Joshua has earned 25 of his 28 wins by KO and in the past 12 months looks to be getting back to his best.

The 34-year-old needed only five rounds to see off rising contender Otto Wallin in December, which capped off a redemptive 2023, before returning against Francis Ngannou in March. The former UFC champion had impressed in his split decision loss to Tyson Fury a few months earlier, but Joshua silenced any doubters with an emphatic second-round KO.

It set up a clash at Wembley Stadium for the IBF belt, with Dubois claiming all but one of his 21 victories by KO. However, many of Joshua’s opponents would argue that his punching power is unlike anything else Dubois has faced in the ring.

Francis Ngannou

“That was a clean one,” Ngannou said of Joshua’s final right hand, having been knocked down twice before. “In fact, I didn’t feel the punch.

“That’s what the knockout is about. I don’t feel any pain. That’s how I know I was knocked out. It was quite special because it stopped me. It did what Tyson Fury couldn’t do. It wasn’t my day, and he’s just way better than me today. It sucks, but it’s the game, we all know that. It’s the game.”

Charles Martin

Charles Martin was the opponent for Joshua’s first world title fight in April 2016, duelling for the American’s IBF crown. Despite being more experienced than AJ, Martin lasted just two rounds.

"I got hit with a right hand I didn't see and that cost the fight," Martin said. "He's a great fighter but it was just that his right hand was fast. I didn't see the shot. He had good speed."

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Dorian Darch

Dorian Darch has the distinction of having faced Joshua and Dubois in the ring. Both men were at the start of their careers and recorded second-round victories over Darch - but the 40-year-old feels that one of them carries much more power.

“Dubois is just not as big or hits as hard as Joshua, in my opinion, but he was a better technical boxer,” Darch told the Express. “Standing next to Anthony Joshua he's massive but Dubois is not that much bigger than me. Dubois did hit hard, don't get me wrong, but he didn't have concussive power, in my opinion.

"AJ is more one-shot, lights out power; Dubois had me down three times, I had a cauliflower a*** by the end of it, but none of the punches would have made me stay down."

Jason Gavern

Jason Gavern was a veteran when he faced a young Joshua (10-0) on five days’ notice in Newcastle, almost a decade ago. He was the first of Joshua’s 11 opponents to take him to the third round before suffering a knockout.

"He’s very technical," Gavern explained. "He hit me with like a triple hook. I remember specifically saying, 'Where the hell did that come from?' He knocked me down three or four times. I wasn’t hurt, he didn’t knock me out out, but the last shot really shook me. I remember being on the ropes and he came behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.

"I looked up at him and smiled but in my mind, I was all over the place. My son said 'Dad you were fine.' and I was like 'Son, you have no idea.' I think Joshua’s journey has been amazing and I’ll always be a part of his history."

Matt Legg

Matt Legg never returned to the ring after being on the wrong end of a Joshua punch in 2014. The 48-year-old suffered a first-round defeat at Wembley on the undercard of Froch-Groves II.

"I got a broken eye socket. When I tried to get up I couldn't even see,” Legg told Sky Sports. “I had three months of nerve damage in the side of my face. For two months I had no feeling, it was numb. He hits you through your gloves, even when you've got your hands up protecting your head. The power of his punches goes through your gloves, there's nowhere to hide.

"I fought James Toney when he was 45 and you could comfortably block his punches - when you block Anthony's they go through your gloves and still hurt you, so you have to get out of the way."

Matt Skelton

Matt Skelton was Joshua’s next fight after his win over Legg. The fight ended in the first round but it was not only Joshua’s power that impressed Skelton.

"The funny thing is that it's not so much about power - Joshua is very accurate. He hits hard, don't get me wrong, but when it's combined with accuracy that's hard to go against, isn't it? You can have a big, hard punch but if it's not timed correctly then it takes the sting out."

Paul Butlin

Paul Butlin was Joshua’s second-ever opponent and had previously taken on the likes of Derek Chisora and Lucas Browne. Their fight ended in the opening minute of the second round.

"I've been in with the biggest lads in Europe," Butlin said. "But Joshua's power is horrible - if he hits you, you're gone, simple as that. It's sickening. The first jab he hit me with, I went back to the corner shaking my head. He caught me with an overhand right that gave me nine stitches."

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