Anthony Joshua endured a devastating knockout defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois, his lesser-known British counterpart, in a remarkable showdown at Wembley Stadium. Joshua, who was floored in the opening round, faced relentless domination and multiple trips to the canvas. The brutal conclusion came in the fifth round when, as Joshua attempted to regain control, Dubois delivered two devastating right hands, resulting in a decisive stoppage.
Despite being the IBF world heavyweight champion, Dubois entered the ring first, signaling his role as the underdog in front of 96,000 spectators. Unfazed by the intense atmosphere, Dubois appeared composed and resolute as he stepped through the ropes. Meanwhile, Joshua's grand entrance, which has often been criticized for its extravagance, delayed the start of the bout.
Dubois quickly showcased the ferocity and power reminiscent of Mike Tyson's heyday. Joshua, though focused, struggled through the lengthy preliminaries. The crowd's contrasting reactions to the fighters set the stage for an extraordinary encounter.
Dubois took early control, stalking and backing up Joshua with confidence. A massive overhand right sent Joshua crashing to the canvas at the end of the first round. The tide turned dramatically, with Joshua appearing dazed despite the bell saving him.
In the second round, Dubois continued his relentless assault, leaving Joshua visibly distressed. As the fight progressed, Joshua attempted to regain momentum with his jab, but Dubois's powerful left hand continued to dominate. Joshua was repeatedly dropped, each time narrowly avoiding a stoppage.
The turning point came in the fifth round when Joshua briefly rallied, hurting Dubois with a jolting right hand. However, Dubois responded with clinical precision, landing successive heavy right hands that left Joshua crumpled on the canvas. The victory solidified Dubois's status as a world champion, while Joshua's once-promising career now faces an uncertain future.
Dubois's triumph over Joshua marked a significant shift in the heavyweight division, overshadowed by the ongoing saga involving Oleksandr Usyk. The IBF's controversial decision to strip Usyk of their title and award it to Dubois set the stage for this monumental clash. As Dubois savors his victory, Joshua must confront the harsh reality of his career's potential end.
