Daniel Dubois regained his IBF world heavyweight championship with a stunning fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua in an all-British showdown at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The 27-year-old dominated the fight from the outset in front of 96,000 devoted fans, dropping the former two-time heavyweight champion many times. After receiving the belt that Oleksandr Usyk abandoned in June, Dubois expressed his desire to “legitimize” his tenure as IBF champion.
He delivered a devastating performance that raises serious concerns about Joshua’s future, yet Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn stated that he expects his boxer to seek a rematch. Underdog Dubois pursued his famed foe from the outset and was rewarded with huge punches that wobbled the 2012 London Olympic winner time and again.
Dubois scored the crucial hit in an action-packed fifth round of the frantic fight, after going through some worrisome moments himself when Joshua finally found his range. “Are you not entertained?” he asked DAZN following the biggest win of his 24-fight career.
“It has been a journey, and I am delighted to be in this position. I am a gladiator, a warrior until the terrible end. Liam Gallagher of Oasis wowed the eager crowd with a three-song live concert before pyrotechnics erupted above Wembley Stadium. The British rivals faced off in a thrilling first round that finished with Joshua being rescued by the bell after being downed by a vicious overhand right.
Survival Mode
Joshua, who weighed four pounds (1.8 kilograms) more than his younger opponent, was in full survival mode in round two, and Dubois got him down again in round three, this time with a left hook that caused his legs to collapse.
In a thrilling fifth round, Dubois was surprised by two right punches, and just as Joshua looked to add on the pressure, the 34-year-old was struck by consecutive right hands himself, knocking him down again and failing to break the count.
Both combatants entered the ring to challenge Tyson Fury or Usyk for the undisputed world championship. Usyk became boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in May, defeating Fury while also holding the IBF, WBO, WBC, and WBA titles. Instead of facing mandatory IBF challenger Dubois, the Ukrainian opted to fight Fury again. Dubois won the interim IBF championship in June and was promoted to world champion status when Usyk left the
“Before I got here, I always told myself I was a warrior for life. You keep rolling the dice. I had a fast and smart opponent, and I made several mistakes.” And Hearn stated that he was “sure” his guy would want a rematch. Listen to the newest songs only on JioSaavn.com. “I think that’s a given,” he replied. “But he’ll need to recuperate, and this is a perilous fight. “This guy’s confidence is steadily increasing.”