In front of a roaring crowd of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, Daniel Dubois delivered a career-defining performance by dismantling Anthony Joshua in five rounds, retaining his IBF heavyweight title and solidifying his place among the heavyweight elite.
Dubois, 27, dropped Joshua multiple times throughout the fight, with the final blow coming in the fifth round – a devastating counter right hook that sent Joshua to the canvas for the last time. The victory marked the biggest win of Dubois’ 24-fight career, catapulting him into global stardom.
“Are you not entertained?” Dubois roared to the packed stadium after his triumph. “I’m a gladiator. I am a warrior to the bitter end. I want to get to the top level of this sport and reach my potential.”
Joshua, 34, a two-time former unified heavyweight champion, entered the ring with hopes of reclaiming his place at the top of the division. However, his bid to become a three-time world champion ended in dramatic fashion, leaving his career hanging in the balance. This was Joshua’s fourth loss in 32 bouts.
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Dubois set the tone early, landing a crushing overhand right in the closing seconds of the first round, dropping Joshua to the canvas. The underdog did not let up, controlling the fight with his powerful jab and relentless pressure.
The third round proved pivotal as Dubois floored Joshua twice more, with one of the knockdowns ruled a slip. The chants of “AJ, AJ” from the crowd grew fainter as it became clear that Dubois had the upper hand. Even ringside spectators Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk—two of the heavyweight division’s top names—watched on in disbelief.
In the fifth round, Joshua showed signs of life, landing a clean punch that briefly halted Dubois’ momentum. But the reprieve was short-lived. Dubois responded with a lightning-fast counter right hand that sent Joshua crashing to the floor once more. This time, Joshua couldn’t beat the count, and the bout was over.
While Joshua hinted at a possible continuation of his career, mentioning a rematch clause, his future in the sport is uncertain. “Before I came here, I always say to myself I’m a fighter for life. You keep rolling the dice,” Joshua said after the fight.
For Dubois, this victory represents a redemption story after past setbacks, including his loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, where he suffered a fractured eye socket. “This is my time, this is my redemption story,” Dubois declared.
As Dubois’ stock rises, his path toward heavyweight greatness is clearer than ever, with his sights set on unifying the division and facing the sport’s top contenders.
Joshua, meanwhile, will have to assess his next steps, as this loss casts a shadow over potential superfights with Fury or Usyk.
The night undoubtedly marked a new dawn for heavyweight boxing, with Dubois’ name now firmly etched in the conversation of future greats.
