Daniel Dubois delivered a career-defining performance by stopping fellow Briton Anthony Joshua in five rounds, securing his place among boxing’s elite in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
27-year-old Dubois knocked Joshua down multiple times, retaining his IBF heavyweight title and casting doubt over the future of his domestic rival’s career.
The London-born fighter sealed the victory with a devastating counter right hook, marking the most significant win of his 24-fight career.
Joshua, 34, had hoped to become a three-time world champion and reclaim his spot at the top of the heavyweight division.
However, Dubois’ commanding performance left those aspirations in tatters. This defeat marks Joshua’s fourth loss in 32 professional fights, a stark contrast to his once-dominant reign.
Joshua, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, had worked his way back to mandatory challenger status, but the nature of Dubois’ win raises serious questions about the next step in his career.
UNBELIEVABLE! 🤯
DANIEL DUBOIS KNOCKS-OUT ANTHONY JOSHUA! 💣😯#JOSHUADUBOIS #RIYADHSEASONCARD PIC.TWITTER.COM/QZTW67GMA5
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) SEPTEMBER 21, 2024
“Are you not entertained?” Dubois shouted to roaring applause after the fight.
“I’m a gladiator. I’m a warrior to the end. I want to reach the top level of this sport and fulfill my potential.”
For Dubois, the victory represents the crowning moment of his career.
After being elevated to world champion status when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF belt, Dubois had been searching for a defining win to cement his legacy. Saturday’s knockout delivered just that.
