Anthony Joshua suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley, leaving the crowd stunned. Joshua was knocked out in the fifth round after being sent to the canvas four times by Dubois’ relentless assault. Despite this defeat marking the fourth of his career, Joshua announced his determination to continue fighting, stating, “We took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now? That we’re going to run away? We’re going to live to fight another day. And that’s what I am, I’m a warrior.” He acknowledged the fine margins in top-level boxing, emphasising the need to learn from mistakes.
After being visibly shaken by a powerful overhand right from Dubois in the first round, Joshua fought back but ultimately succumbed to Dubois’ onslaught. Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, defended Joshua’s performance, highlighting his resilience in the ring. Dubois, who had previously faced setbacks against Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk, made a spectacular comeback and expressed his desire for a rematch against Usyk to rectify his loss. Dubois attributed his victory to divine support and his unwavering determination, declaring, “He could have thrown everything at me, and I would have come through it. It felt like a dream in the ring. I just had to seize the moment.”
Despite the defeat, Joshua’s promoter Hearn remained optimistic about his future in boxing, pointing out Joshua’s ability to rally in the face of adversity. Dubois now eyes the rematch between Usyk and Tyson Fury, aiming to compete for the title of undisputed heavyweight champion. Dubois’ impressive triumph over Joshua has set the stage for an exciting chapter in his boxing journey. As the dust settles on this thrilling bout, fans eagerly anticipate the future bouts that await both Joshua and Dubois in the world of heavyweight boxing.