LONDON — Daniel Dubois left Anthony Joshua’s profession in disarray after knocking out his English rival with a proper to the jaw in Spherical 5 in a primary protection of his IBF world heavyweight title Saturday.
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) endured a nightmare as Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) floored him 4 occasions in Rounds 1, 3 and 4 earlier than the savage end after 59 seconds of Spherical 5.
Regardless of being the champion, Dubois pulled off an upset to inflict a fourth skilled defeat on Joshua who was denied changing into a three-time world heavyweight champion in entrance of 96,000 followers at Wembley Stadium, the most important postwar crowd for a boxing occasion in the UK.
A lot was manufactured from Joshua’s knockout type, and he entered the battle on the again of a vicious stoppage of Francis Ngannou in March. Nevertheless it was Dubois’ energy and aggression that emphatically decided Saturday’s end result as he swatted Joshua across the ring with ease.
Dubois’ victory units up the potential for him combating for the undisputed world heavyweight title in 2025, in opposition to the winner of a Dec. 21 conflict involving WBC, WBA and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, who have been each ringside.
Usyk stopped Dubois in Spherical 9 in August final yr. Joshua should now hope for a Dubois rematch, or maybe a conflict in opposition to the loser on Dec. 21 after one other severe setback to his profession.
“I am combating to get all of the glory, to me I am the hunter and I must hunt,” Dubois stated.
Who does he need subsequent?
“The entire finest, possibly Usyk, a giant shot at my redemption, however anybody can get it,” Dubois stated.
“It has been a journey and I am grateful to be on this place. I am a gladiator, I am a warrior till the bitter finish. I wish to get to the highest of this sport and attain my full potential.”
It was such a crushing defeat for Joshua that it left his choices shrouded doubtful and his status indelibly broken. Speak prefight was of Joshua versus Fury, however this thrashing adjustments issues after the 34-year-old was left bouncing off the canvas and discombobulated in Spherical 5.
“Earlier than I got here right here, I at all times say to myself I am a fighter for all times,” Joshua stated afterward. “You retain rolling the cube. I had a quick and sharp opponent, loads of errors from my finish.”
Dubois, who lives in Essex, repaired his profession with stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic after shedding to Usyk, however Joshua started the battle closely favored to win again a title.
Joshua, who lives in north London, was extra accustomed to huge stadium fights in comparison with Dubois. And he appeared extra comfy in entrance of an enormous crowd, which bought into the temper after a cameo look by Liam Gallagher, who belted out some hit songs by not too long ago reunited Oasis.
Dubois then proceeded to belt Joshua.
Dubois, who was elevated from interim to full world champion standing after Usyk relinquished the IBF title in June, ambushed the challenger early.
Joshua made a composed begin, however he was dropped by an arcing proper hand for his first depend towards the tip of the primary spherical. Joshua momentarily lowered his arms, inviting Dubois to throw his proper hand. Joshua bought up on wobbly legs however was saved by the bell.
Joshua was nonetheless shaky within the second spherical as Dubois landed extra photographs. It wasn’t purported to be this simple for Dubois, who appeared on the verge of victory in Spherical 3. Joshua missed with a proper hand and was caught with a counter left hook. He staggered backward and rolled on his ankle earlier than Dubois landed extra clubbing blows to go away Joshua in a heap and taking a depend.
The bell once more got here to Joshua’s rescue, however the former champion’s legs betrayed him as he touched down for an additional depend early in Spherical 4. He was fortunate to not get a second depend in Spherical 4, however when he went down no depend was given.
Joshua, who dominated as champion from 2016 to 2019 after which from 2019 to 2021, was there for the taking, and Dubois obliged when he beat him to the punch to land a proper to the jaw that left his rival crumpled in a heap in Spherical 5.
Joshua, who accounted for his three earlier opponents inside the space, was left face down on the canvas and counted out by referee Marcus McDonnell as he tried to stand up. It will likely be tough for Joshua to return again from his most damaging defeat but.