Daniel Dubois retained his IBF heavyweight title by delivering a stunning fifth-round knockout to former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua. The highly anticipated bout took place at Wembley Stadium in London, drawing a record post-war British boxing crowd of 96,000 fans.
Dubois, who weighed in at 248.6 lbs, entered the ring as the underdog but quickly established dominance. From the outset, he showcased his prowess, knocking Joshua down in the first and third rounds. By the fifth round, Dubois landed a decisive right hand that sent Joshua face-first to the canvas, prompting the referee to wave off the fight just as Joshua's corner threw in the towel.
"This is my time, my redemption story," Dubois roared to the electrified crowd, adding, "I'm not going to stop until I reach my full potential." His victory was a significant upset, especially considering Joshua's status as a favorite and his aspirations to emulate boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis.
Joshua, visibly disoriented and struggling to regain composure throughout the match, acknowledged his opponent's skill, stating, "I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent. A lot of the mistakes were mine."
The win solidifies Dubois' position as a formidable force in the heavyweight division, potentially setting him up for a future clash with the winner of the rematch between WBA, WBC and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Reflecting on his journey, Dubois declared, "I'm a gladiator. I'm a warrior to the bitter end. I want to go to the top level of this game."
Despite the loss, Joshua vowed to continue his boxing career, with his promoter Eddie Hearn indicating plans to exercise the rematch clause. However, this defeat marks Joshua's fourth in the last five years, making it one of the most challenging periods in his illustrious career.
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