Britain’s Daniel Dubois stunned two-time world boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, with a fifth-round knockout to retain his IBF world heavyweight boxing title. The fight was held at the packed Wembley Stadium in front of 96,000 people.
The fight between the two British men leaves Joshua’s career in ruins, and crowns Dubois as the new leading man in the British heavyweight league.
Dubois sprawled Joshua on the canvas in the opening round and never gave him time to breathe. It was downhill from then on, with Joshua kissing the floor again in round three. The ropes held him up a bit, before the final knockout in the fifth round.
Is Anthony Joshua going to retire?
Many fans were disappointed by Joshua’s performance, they were quoted asking him to retire and focus his energies on something else. They claimed that he’s past his prime and that he has lost his gusto, something he doesn’t agree with.
“Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice at success and we came up short,” said Joshua when asked if he was already done with his career.
He adds: “You know I’m pissed. You know I’m ready to kick up in the ring, but I’m going to keep my cool and keep very professional and give respect to my opponent.”
The interviewer then asks if we can expect to “see another rebuild” for Joshua – a polite way of asking if the 34–year–old plans to retire after tonight’s crushing knockout loss.
“Before I came here, I’m always saying to myself I’m a fighter for life,” Joshua says. “We rolled the dice at success and we came up short, we’ll keep rolling the dice.”
He adds: “I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent. Secondly, a lot of mistakes on my end. But that’s the game. As pissed off as I am, it is what it is.”
Dubois Starts His Reign
“Are you not entertained?” Dubois shouted at the crowd to start his post-fight interview. “Thank you very much, you know. It’s been a long journey. I’m grateful to be in this position.”
He adds: “I’m a gladiator, you know? I’m just a warrior to the bitter end. I’m just ready to go. I want to go to the top level of this game and reach my potential. God bless you all.”
He’s asked what’s been behind the turnaround in his performances, which included emphatic wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgović over the past year.
“Just behind the scenes, the work with my dad, all my family, and my strong team. They’ve helped me get through this,” he says. “I’ve just been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. It’s my redemption story. I’m not going to stop until I reach my potential.”
Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs), of London, was the former IBF interim champ who was elevated to full champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt in June to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury. This one was his first defense.
What’s The Way Forward?
The 26-year-old’s next move currently remains unclear, but he has called for a potential rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk will first meet Tyson Fury in a huge rematch on December 21st, which could decide Dubois’ next opponent.
But Eddie Hearn has claimed Joshua could yet pursue a sequel via a contracted clause despite the nature of the defeat.
