Daniel Dubois injury rumours denied ahead of Anthony Joshua fight

Daniel Dubois has been without trainer Don Charles this week ahead of his heavyweight world title showdown with Anthony Joshua at Wembley

Daniel Dubois' trainer has insisted the heavyweight is not struggling with a hand injury ahead of his fight with Anthony Joshua.

Dubois will defend his world title against the two-time ruler in front of up to 96,000 fans at Wembley on Saturday night. But he has been without coach Don Charles this week, prompting rumours of a split, while there has also been the suggestion Dubois has hurt his right hand.

But assistant trainer Kieran Farrell told Sky Sports : "Daniel has no injury to his right hand - he's injured my hands with the power of his shots!" while Charles' son George Fox played down reports of a rift, adding: "No secret, no ploy, no plan to unsettle anyone." Charles is understood to be suffering from a cold and will not be at Thursday's press conference or Friday's weigh-in, but does plan to be in Dubois' corner on Saturday night.

Dubois trained briefly at Wednesday night's open workout and said: "I’m going through the motions and just building up my energy for Saturday. I know I need to go to another level at my very best. I can’t wait for the challenge on Saturday. I’m ready to fight, let’s go. I’ve just worked hard in the gym. I’ve suffered and worked really hard for weeks and months so I’m just ready to fight now."

Joshua opted not to work out but was joined by boxers from his old amateur gym. He said: "They're the boys and girls from my boxing club so we're in local town and I thought I'd bring them down. It's what it's all about, opening doors for people, like people open doors for me as well. I feel like I'm in the ring ready for my fight as well. It feels good. Canvas feels good. Size is good. I just need to get my wraps on and my gloves and I could fight today. There's no emotion. No emotions. I'm just here. I'm just here."

Dubois will defend his title for the first time since he was upgraded from interim champion following his win over Filip Hrgovic in June. Dubois was awarded the belt when Oleksandr Usyk opted to give up the IBF strap and take on Tyson Fury in their Christmas rematch rather than have a second fight with mandatory challenger Dubois, whom he stopped last year.

Joshua, meanwhile, will become a thee-time champion if he beats Dubois, joining a club of just fighters in Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Kllitschko and Michael Moorer. Joshua has won four fights in a row since losing back-to-back bouts with Usyk, first in London and then in Saudi Arabia.