Dubois shatters Joshua’s dream to retain IBF title at Wembley

Joshua admitted his errors, praising Dubois' speed and skill; promoter Hearn confirmed a rematch

LONDON:

Britain’s Daniel Dubois shattered Anthony Joshua’s hopes of becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion with a fifth-round knockout, retaining his IBF title at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Dubois floored Joshua in the first round with a powerful right hand, leading to a standing eight count from the referee. The 27-year-old defied pre-fight expectations as he relentlessly attacked his opponent.

Joshua, 34, endured a heavy onslaught in round two but managed to hold on, only to find himself in further trouble during the third round as Dubois continued landing powerful right-hand punches. Joshua was saved by the bell while struggling on the ropes. By the fourth round, Joshua could barely stay on his feet, falling again with two minutes remaining. The fight ended in the fifth round when Dubois delivered a decisive right to Joshua’s chin, leaving the former IBF, WBA, and IBO champion unable to rise.

After the victory, Dubois addressed the crowd, declaring, "Are you not entertained?" He expressed his ambition to reach the pinnacle of the sport after securing the biggest win of his 24-fight career. Organisers reported a post-World War Two British attendance record of 96,000 at the Saudi-funded event in Wembley. Among the attendees were Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, who performed three songs on his 52nd birthday, and Ukraine’s WBC, WBA, and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk, who has already beaten both Joshua and Dubois, will face Britain’s Tyson Fury in a rematch in Saudi Arabia this December. While Joshua had hoped for a shot at the winner of that fight, his future now looks uncertain after Dubois' victory. Dubois expressed his desire for another fight with Usyk, who defeated him in nine rounds last year in Poland. Usyk vacated the IBF belt for his upcoming rematch with Fury, allowing Dubois, the interim holder, to be upgraded to world champion in June.

Joshua, reflecting on his defeat, credited Dubois and his team, admitting, "We rolled the dice of success, but we came up short." This was Joshua’s 13th world heavyweight title fight, leaving him with a record of four losses from 32 bouts. Joshua first won the IBF belt in 2016, lost it to Andy Ruiz in 2019, regained it the same year, but was ultimately defeated by Usyk in 2021.

Joshua acknowledged his mistakes, calling his opponent sharp and fast. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed plans to invoke a rematch clause, saying Joshua could grow in confidence and believe in his ability to win the fight.