Daniel Dubois dropped Anthony Joshua multiple times and knocked him out in a stunning upset at Wembley Stadium. The fight for the IBF World Heavyweight Championship ended in the fifth round on December 23, 2023.
Dubois, who got the IBF title earlier this year, proved his worth as champion. He looked faster and more dangerous than Joshua from the start. Joshua showed incredible heart, getting up from the canvas three times before the fight ended.
The first round set the tone. Joshua stayed on the back foot, and Dubois knocked him down in the last 30 seconds. Only the bell saved Joshua from an early finish.
For the next three rounds, Joshua tried to survive. But in the fifth, things changed. Joshua caught Dubois with a shot that made his legs wobble. Dubois fired back immediately with a massive punch, ending the fight in spectacular fashion.
After the fight, Joshua stayed humble. He congratulated Dubois and said he lost because he "rolled the dice" against a tough opponent. Joshua also confirmed he plans to keep fighting.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's promoter, praised both fighters. He said:
"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."
Hearn mentioned a rematch clause, saying Joshua will probably use it. But many fans and experts might advise Joshua against another fight with Dubois.
As for the 27-year-old champion, Dubois wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk next. He's clearly looking to build on this big win and make his mark in the heavyweight division.
