Anthony Joshua’s quest for heavyweight glory took a devastating turn on Saturday night as he faced a crushing knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
Dubois, the IBF heavyweight champion, dominated the bout, sending Joshua to the canvas twice before a decisive right hand in the fifth round ended the fight with Joshua sprawled face down. Despite Joshua’s effort to rise, the referee halted the contest, securing a remarkable win for Dubois. This defeat marks Joshua’s second knockout loss, significantly dimming his chances of securing a third world title. The match kicked off with Dubois asserting control early on, as he cornered Joshua in the initial round and landed a powerful overhand right that floored the former champion, signaling a challenging night ahead for Joshua.
The second and third rounds saw more of the same as Dubois continued his relentless assault. Joshua, still unsteady, struggled to defend himself from Dubois’ accurate jabs and hooks. Another knockdown came in the third, leaving Joshua looking weary and out of answers.By the fourth round, Dubois had complete control, as Joshua’s movements grew sluggish and his punches lacked their usual power. Despite showing heart, Joshua couldn’t stem the tide as Dubois continued his dominance.The final blow came in the fifth round. Joshua attempted to mount a comeback, throwing a few strong punches, but despite being wobbled, Dubois countered with a crushing right hand to the temple, followed by a clean shot to Joshua’s jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. The referee quickly stepped in to end the bout, as Joshua lay motionless on the canvas.
With this victory, Dubois successfully defends his IBF heavyweight title, while Joshua’s path to a third world title reign now faces serious doubt.
