Daniel Dubois shocked the world by dropping Anthony Joshua multiple times on the way to a knockout win.
The 27-year-old was elevated to IBF World Champion earlier this year but answered any question of his title’s legitimacy by demolishing ‘AJ’ in five rounds.
From the first round Joshua was on the back foot and in serious trouble from a knockdown in the final thirty seconds. He was saved by the bell but was largely on a survival mission for the next four rounds. Incredibly, he buckled the legs of Dubois in the fifth but was immediately repaid by a knockout of the year contender from the champion.
Post-fight, Joshua was humble in defeat. He congratulated Dubois and put the defeat down to ‘rolling the dice’ against a tough opponent. He confirmed he would fight again.
Promoter Eddie Hearn then floated the idea of the rematch.
“Well it was the first round it was a huge right hand that AJ shipped in the first round and after that he was fighting on heart and desire. I’m so proud of him because he never gave up. His legs were deceiving him and he kept on trying and at the end of the fourth round he hurt Daniel Dubois and in the fifth round he really hurt Daniel Dubois. Then he got greedy and walked into a right hand and that’s all she wrote.
You know, when you’re in there with a massive puncher that’s what can happen. But AJ never gave up, he never stopped trying to get up even when he couldn’t’ get up. I think a massive, massive congratulations to Daniel Dubois because people doubted him and he was the champion, really the B side, but he deserves credit now as a real champion and that was a great performance.
If we’re going to lose, losing to a British heavyweight makes it feel better. I’m sure [Joshua] will exercise that rematch clause, that’s a given. He’ll need a rest as Dubois is growing in confidence all the time but he’ll believe he can hurt Dubois and he’ll believe he can beat him.”
Dubois said he was looking to fight Oleksandr Usyk again but may have little choice should the other side indeed activate a contractual rematch. Without letting the dust settle, many fans and pundits will likely advise ‘AJ’ against it.
