In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the boxing world, Daniel Dubois knocked out former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in the fifth round, retaining his IBF heavyweight title in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 98,000 fans. After the knocked out, Dubois, who retained his IBF champion, roared to the crowd, “This is my time, my redemption story. I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.”
Joshua’s trainer, Ben Davison, admitted that their gameplan went “spectacularly wrong.” He explained, “We tried to capitalize on that [Dubois’ early aggression], but for whatever reason, things didn’t get going in the early part of the fight. We just didn’t manage to get things going early.”
Tyson Fury, who was watching the fight ringside, offered his perspective: “It’s heavyweight boxing, s*** happens, you get knocked spark out. It could have been me. In the heavyweight division, it’s what happens.”
Fury acknowledged the even odds going into the fight, highlighting the age difference between the two fighters. “Dubois is a lot younger. He’s 27-years-old. Joshua is 35, the same age as me. Age doesn’t wait for anybody.”
The loss has fuelled speculation about Joshua’s retirement. However, his promoter, Eddie Hearn, dismissed the notion, stating, “I don’t see it being a fight that ends his career. But as I said, he’s in the final chapter or chapters of the career.”
Hearn admitted the defeat was a significant setback to their plans of facing the winner of the upcoming Fury vs. Usyk fight. He hinted at the possibility of a Joshua vs. Fury matchup, saying, “We may end up fighting the loser of that fight, maybe if it’s Tyson Fury.”
The future remains uncertain for Joshua, but one thing is clear: the heavyweight landscape has been dramatically shaken up. Dubois’ victory marks a changing of the guard, and the boxing world eagerly awaits what comes next.
