Anthony Joshua responds to Anthony Fowler's claim in talkSPORT interview that his 'legs turned to jelly' in Daniel Dubois sparring

Yesterday at 14:54

Anthony Joshua has claimed Anthony Fowler’s story from his sparring with Daniel Dubois carries an ulterior motive.

Joshua and Dubois will meet in a huge heavyweight clash at Wembley Stadium this weekend, eight years on from their famous sparring session where rumours claimed an 18-year-old ‘Dynamite’ wobbled or even KO’d AJ.

Anthony Fowler, who watched the sparring live in the gym, suggested that Joshua’s legs turned to ‘jelly’ and that he was badly hurt, seemingly confirming them rumours.

But Joshua, who is just days out from meeting Dubois as a professional, joked it is all part of a ploy to sell his own business of CBD products.

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 since had his own say on Joshua’s comments, hitting back on social media: “Had a lot of DMs today which made me laugh, I have got no reason to lie, I've retired.

“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.”

Fowler seemingly took the criticism from Joshua well, but the continued topic of the heavyweights sparring continues to swirl.

Dubois was a young amateur at the time when touching gloves with the former two-time heavyweight world champion, who dethroned Charles Martin to reach world glory that year.

Joshua himself admits to feeling his rival’s power but has firmly denied suggestions he was put on the canvas or wobbled.

Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, insists he was dropped at the GB Performance Institute in Sheffield, home of Joshua’s ex-trainer Rob McCracken.

Despite the story continuing to stir up a rivalry between the pair, it will be clear for all fans to see as their heavyweight battle unfolds at Wembley Stadium.

AJ is the marginal favourite despite the various accounts of the session, given his experience and good recent form under new trainer Ben Davison.

‘Dyanmite’ currently holds the IBF title, which Joshua will be vying for as he was awarded it without throwing a punch after beating fellow contender Filip Hrgovic.

Joshua has the opportunity to become a three-time heavyweight world champion joining an elite club to do alongside the likes of Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

He can also set up a potential undisputed shot against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury which will take place on December 21.