Daniel Dubois Stops Anthony Joshua in Five Sensational Rounds
Just when Anthony Joshua had finally found some semblance of success after four nightmare rounds, Daniel Dubois produced one right hand too many, and Joshua was knocked out in a quite sensational fight at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
Dubois was seemingly in command from the opening seconds. His impressive heavy jab landed throughout the opening three minutes. But one booming right hand towards the end of that first round dropped Joshua heavily. Make no mistake, the bell saved him.
Joshua never really recovered, despite showing immense heart to stay in the fight. It had a similar eerie feel to that horror night in New York against Andy Ruiz. Joshua wobbled every time he was hit. He couldn't find his legs or any kind of rhythm. The jab was the key. Who won that particular battle was always likely to win the fight. And that proved to be Daniel Dubois.
Dubois had Joshua down again in the 3rd round, and the end looked near. Arguably, the referee should have waved the fight off right there. Any other fighter would probably have had his night ended at that very second. Yet again, the bell and a far too lenient referee came to his rescue.
But Joshua appeared to be finding some momentum as Dubois showed fleeting signs of fatigue in the 4th round. Hopes were raised even more in the 5th when Dubois suddenly seemed in trouble when Joshua caught him with his right hand, but Joshua, not for the first time, was caught when he was on the ascendancy. He walked into a short right hand from Dubois that caught Joshua flush on the chin. And this time, that was the end of a truly incredible watch. 96,000 fans were treated to some spectacle.
Even with Dubois appearing to be totally in charge, there was always the sense that Joshua could somehow recover and turn the fight around. But he shipped one hand too many in the pivotal 5th round.
Joshua says he will come again. But at 34, he might be better considering his future. His fourth career defeat was by far the most crushing. The money men might encourage him to carry on. But they would be better served advising him to seek pastures new.
In retaining his IBF world heavyweight title, Dubois proved everyone wrong again. Not so long ago, Dubois was branded a quitter, but he has turned his career full circle in his last three fights. Yet again, Dubois overcame resilience in victory. Another little boxed ticked. This time, it was on the biggest night of his career. From being written off, Daniel Dubois is now very much in the conversation about being the best heavyweight on the planet.
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
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