Daniel Dubois delivered a stunning upset at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, knocking out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round to retain his IBF heavyweight title and potentially end Joshua’s storied career.
In front of 96,000 spectators, the 27-year-old Dubois dominated the fight from the opening bell, dropping Joshua multiple times before landing the decisive blow – a counter right hook that left the former two-time champion sprawled on the canvas.
“Are you not entertained?” Dubois shouted to the crowd post-fight. “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.”
The fight began with Dubois scoring a knockdown in the closing seconds of the first round. Joshua, visibly shaken, never fully recovered. The second and third rounds saw Dubois continue his assault, with Joshua touching the canvas multiple times.
After a closer fourth round, Joshua briefly found success in the fifth, only for Dubois to respond with the fight-ending counter right hand. Referee Howard Foster waved off the contest as Joshua struggled to regain his feet.
For Dubois, this victory marks a dramatic turnaround from his 2020 loss to Joe Joyce, where he was labeled a “quitter” after taking a knee due to an eye injury. “I’ve been on a rollercoaster run, this is my time, this is my redemption story,” Dubois said.
Joshua, now 34, suffered his fourth professional loss in 32 fights. While he hinted at continuing his career, stating “I’m a fighter for life,” his future at the elite level is uncertain.
The fight’s outcome likely derails hopes for a long-anticipated bout between Joshua and WBC champion Tyson Fury. Fury, along with unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, watched the fight from ringside.
For Dubois, the victory catapults him into the upper echelons of the heavyweight division. His team will now look to potential unification bouts or high-profile defenses of his newly-won title.
