Joshua future in doubt after mauling by dominant Dubois
BBC – Daniel Dubois sensationally dismantled fellow Briton Anthony Joshua in five rounds to catapult himself into global sporting stardom in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.
The 27-year-old dropped Joshua multiple times to retain the IBF heavyweight title and leave his domestic rival’s career in ruins.
Londoner Dubois stopped Joshua, 34, with an incredible counter right hook to secure the biggest win of his 24-fight career.
“I’m a gladiator. I am a warrior to the bitter end. I want to get to the top level of this sport and reach my potential,” Dubois said post-fight.
Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion and return to the division’s top table ended in the most dramatic and unexpected fashion.
AJ – who won his first world title more than eight years ago – suffered a fourth loss in his 32nd bout, but hinted he will continue in the sport and has a clause to trigger a rematch with Dubois.
“You know I’m ready to kick off in the ring but I’m going to keep it respectful,” he said.
“Before I came here, I always say to myself I’m a fighter for life. You keep rolling the dice.”
An ecstatic Dubois, meanwhile, enjoyed the crowning moment which had eluded him after he was elevated to world champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.
After one of British boxing’s biggest shocks, Joshua’s future is under scrutiny, despite him suggesting he may continue in the sport.
The rebuild mission since losing a second consecutive fight to Usyk in 2022 was going smoothly, fuelled by a desire to join legends such as Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko as a three-time champion.
But Joshua came up against a fearless and younger fighter determined to prove his worth on the world stage.
“I had a fast and sharp opponent, a lot of mistakes from my end,” he admitted afterwards.
The lure of the long-awaited and even longer-mooted super-fight with Fury also suffered a major blow, even if the ‘Gypsy King’ loses to Usyk in December’s world-title rematch.
Dubois’ future, in contrast, is gleaming brightly.