Anthony Joshua’s recent bout with Daniel Dubois has drawn significant attention in the boxing world, particularly due to its unexpected and devastating outcome. On a night when Joshua sought to solidify his legacy as a three-time heavyweight champion, he was instead floored by Dubois in a brutal five-round knockout that left many wondering about the future of his career. While Joshua has made it clear that he has no intentions of retiring, the fight raises pressing questions about what went wrong in the ring and where the former champion will go from here.
The fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois took place at Wembley Stadium in front of an electrified crowd of 96,000. It was anticipated to be a crowning moment for Joshua, who, after a string of four high-profile victories, was poised to regain his position as one of the most feared heavyweights in boxing. However, from the opening bell, it became clear that this fight was not going to play out as expected.
Joshua entered the ring later than planned due to traffic, an issue that his trainer Ben Davison acknowledged but downplayed. Despite this, Davison insisted that Joshua had been well-prepared for the fight, knowing full well that Dubois would start aggressively. Yet, it was that very aggression that seemed to overwhelm Joshua early on. In the first round, Dubois landed a huge overhand right to Joshua’s chin, dropping him heavily. The punch exposed a glaring defensive lapse in Joshua’s technique, with his chin in the air and his defense nowhere to be found. This blow set the tone for the rest of the fight, and as Joshua would later admit, “It was a bit of a downhill slope from there.”
Dubois continued to apply relentless pressure. Joshua, though attempting to fight on the backfoot, was unable to keep Dubois at bay. His footwork, which had often been one of his stronger assets, seemed sluggish. Davison later admitted that this was something they had discussed beforehand, noting that Joshua needed to defend with his feet rather than simply absorbing punches. By the end of the third round, Joshua was in grave trouble, having barely survived another knockdown thanks to the bell.
In the fourth round, Dubois knocked Joshua down again. Each time Joshua rose, he appeared more dazed, his efforts to regain control thwarted by Dubois’ precision and power. It was clear that Dubois had a game plan and was executing it perfectly. Despite moments where Joshua attempted to rally, he was ultimately outmatched. In the fifth round, after appearing to briefly shake Dubois with a solid shot, Joshua made a critical error. As he moved in to try and capitalize on the opening, he was caught by a devastating overhand right while throwing an uppercut. The punch folded Joshua onto the canvas, where he struggled to rise, unable to even lift his head. The fight was over.
In the aftermath of the fight, both Joshua and his team were left to reflect on what had gone wrong. Joshua, ever candid in defeat, acknowledged that his mistakes started early in the fight and compounded as the rounds went on. “The first round? Overhand right, chin in the air, no defense, kaboom,” he said during the post-fight press conference. He admitted that from that point on, it was an uphill battle, and despite his efforts to change the tides, it simply wasn’t his night. Joshua’s assessment of the fifth-round knockout was equally self-critical. After catching Dubois with a good shot, Joshua attempted to press his advantage but was caught by a counterpunch. “Thing is, I wasn’t setting shots up. In a shootout like that, you really got to be a bit more sniper-esque,” he said. The fight had devolved into survival mode for Joshua, and in his attempt to take Dubois out, he left himself open to the decisive blow.
Trainer Ben Davison echoed Joshua’s sentiments, acknowledging that while their preparation had been thorough, they hadn’t anticipated some of the specific challenges that Dubois posed in the ring. “We knew that Daniel was going to start fast,” Davison said. However, he admitted that there were times when they could have taken a different approach, possibly using more defensive strategies or tying up Dubois when he came in aggressively. Ultimately, Davison took responsibility for the outcome, saying, “Me and my team have received a hell of a lot of credit for good performances that he’s had, so it’s important that we take responsibility for the bad performance as well.”
Despite the devastating loss, there were moments in the fight where Joshua could have turned things around. Both Davison and Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, pointed to the fifth round when Joshua briefly appeared to have Dubois hurt. Hearn noted that even after a disastrous start, Joshua still had opportunities to win the fight. “Made so many basic errors and still could have won the fight. That’s a positive to take out of,” Hearn said. But as the fight wore on, the accumulation of mistakes, compounded by Dubois’ power, made it impossible for Joshua to recover.
The immediate question on everyone’s mind following the fight was whether Joshua would consider retirement. However, Joshua was quick to dispel any notions of calling it quits. “You’re probably asking if I still want to consider fighting. Of course I want to continue fighting,” he stated firmly. For Joshua, this fight was just another chapter in a long and storied career, not the end. “We took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now? That we’re going to run away? We’re going to live to fight another day. And that’s what I am – I’m a warrior,” he said.
Joshua’s willingness to continue fighting opens up several possibilities for his future in boxing, though the path forward is far from clear. One potential option is a rematch with Dubois. Eddie Hearn confirmed that such a rematch is contractually possible and hinted that Joshua would be eager to have another crack at Dubois. “We have a contracted fight with Riyadh Season that could include the Daniel Dubois rematch,” Hearn revealed. However, both Hearn and Davison agree that there is no immediate rush for Joshua to step back into the ring. They will need time to reassess, refine strategies, and ensure that Joshua is fully prepared for his next challenge.
Beyond a rematch with Dubois, there are other significant fights that could lie in Joshua’s future, including the long-anticipated matchup with Tyson Fury. Although Fury is currently set for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, a future fight with Joshua is still on the table, depending on how the heavyweight landscape shifts in the coming months. Hearn speculated that 2025 could be an “interesting year for Anthony Joshua one way or the other,” suggesting that major bouts against the likes of Fury or even Usyk could still happen. However, the scale and significance of those fights may be diminished, especially if Joshua continues to struggle in the ring.
For now, the focus for Joshua and his team will be on rebuilding and regaining confidence. As Hearn pointed out, the next fight could be make-or-break for Joshua’s career. “It could be the end of the road the next one,” Hearn said, underscoring the importance of making the right decisions in the coming months. Whether Joshua chooses to face Dubois again or take on another contender, the stakes will be incredibly high. Joshua himself seems keen on facing tough opponents rather than taking easier fights to rebuild his record. “I just know he’s going to want a big fight,” Hearn said. Joshua’s desire for a significant challenge reflects his warrior spirit, but it also adds pressure to ensure that his next performance is vastly improved from his outing against Dubois.
While the loss to Dubois was a significant setback, it is unlikely to define Anthony Joshua’s career. Joshua has faced adversity before, including back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, and has always managed to come back stronger. His resilience, both mentally and physically, remains one of his defining characteristics. Moreover, his ability to reflect honestly on his shortcomings and his willingness to learn from his mistakes suggest that Joshua is far from finished in the sport of boxing.
The fight with Dubois may have raised questions about Joshua’s future, but it also highlighted his determination to keep going, no matter the odds. For now, Joshua’s journey in the heavyweight division continues, with fans eagerly awaiting his next move. Whether it’s a rematch with Dubois or a clash with another top contender, one thing is certain: Anthony Joshua is not done yet, and he will be back in the ring, ready to fight once again.
Sources
- https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13220242/anthony-joshua-vs-daniel-dubois-what-went-wrong-for-aj-what-will-be-next-and-can-the-tyson-fury-fight-still-happen
- https://leadership.ng/ibf-heavyweight-title-why-i-lost-to-dubois-in-fifth-round-anthony-joshua/