In a stunning turn of events, Anthony Joshua‘s quest to reclaim the heavyweight championship ended in disappointment on Saturday night as he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in the fifth round. The bout, held at Wembley Stadium in front of a record crowd of 96,000, saw Dubois successfully defend his IBF heavyweight title.
Dubois, who had a strong start, landed a powerful overhand right that sent Joshua to the canvas just 59 seconds into the fifth round. The victory comes as a significant upset, especially considering Joshua’s impressive recent form, which included four consecutive wins, capped by a knockout of Francis Ngannou earlier this year.
Joshua’s loss prevents him from becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, a title he had aimed to secure to set up a potential clash against the winner of the upcoming Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk rematch in December. Now, at 34 years old and with four losses in 32 professional fights, he faces an uncertain path forward.
After the match, Joshua acknowledged his shortcomings, noting the effectiveness of Dubois and his own mistakes during the fight. The defeat raises questions about his next steps, including the likelihood of invoking a rematch clause, as suggested by his promoter, Eddie Hearn. There is also the possibility of a future bout against the loser of the Fury-Usyk fight.
From the start, Joshua struggled, suffering a knockdown in the first round. Dubois maintained pressure throughout the first four rounds, landing significant punches that left Joshua on the ropes. Although Joshua showed resilience, managing to avoid a definitive defeat until the fifth round, Dubois proved too formidable.
This victory marks a career high for the 27-year-old Dubois, who now positions himself for a potential shot at the undisputed heavyweight title after the Fury-Usyk rematch.
Reflecting on his triumph, Dubois expressed his determination to reach new heights in the sport, emphasizing his commitment to realizing his full potential. The fight has undoubtedly reshaped the heavyweight division, leaving fans eager to see how the landscape will unfold in the coming months.
