In a thrilling heavyweight bout at Wembley Stadium in London, Daniel Dubois defeated Anthony Joshua via knockout in the fifth round, retaining his IBF heavyweight title. The highly anticipated fight, initially scheduled for 12 rounds, ended abruptly as Dubois delivered a devastating right to Joshua’s chin.
“I had a sharp opponent and a fast opponent,” Joshua told DAZN post-fight. “And secondly, a lot of mistakes from my end.” Dubois, 27, improved to 21-3, while Joshua, 34, fell to 28-4.
Dubois dominated the fight, knocking down Joshua four times before the final blow. “I’m a gladiator,” Dubois said. “I’m just a warrior to the end, to the bitter end.” The victory secures Dubois a shot against the winner of the December 21 fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
The electric atmosphere at Wembley Stadium, filled with 96,000 spectators, witnessed Dubois’s aggressive style from the opening round. He connected with an overhand right, sending Joshua to the canvas in Round 1.
The subsequent rounds saw Dubois continue to assert his dominance, with Joshua struggling to regain footing. Despite moments of resilience, Joshua ultimately succumbed to Dubois’s relentless pressure.
Notable figures in attendance included Conor McGregor, Tyson Fury, Tommy Fury, Terence Crawford, and Emma Bunton of Spice Girls fame.
With this victory, Dubois cements his position as a formidable force in the heavyweight division, while Joshua faces another setback in his quest for redemption.
