Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: Fight result and reaction after stunning knockout at Wembley
Anthony Joshua suffered the most devastating loss of his career at the hands of Daniel Dubois, who defended his IBF heavyweight world title in front of a record crowd of over 98,000
Daniel Dubois retained the IBF heavyweight title by knocking out former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in the fifth round in a dominant first defense of his belt on Saturday.
Joshua had already been floored in the first and third rounds of a surprisingly one-sided fight at Wembley Stadium before falling face first after a straight right hand by Dubois. The referee waved off the all-British fight just as Joshua‘s corner threw in the towel.
Dubois roared “Are you not entertained?” to a record post-war boxing crowd in Britain of over 98,000 fans in his first words after the fight.
“This is my time, my redemption story,” said Dubois, who became IBF champion after the belt was vacated by Oleksandr Usyk in June. “I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.
Relive all the action from Joshua vs Dubois and catch up on the undercard below:
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: AJ knocked down!
Round one
We are set for 12 rounds for the IBF world championship - and we are UNDERWAY!
Dubois starts the better and lands the evokes a roar from the crowd as he connects with two stiff rights early in the fight.
He is not freezing under the pressure and with 20 seconds left of the first, a MASSIVE overhand right knocks AJ down! He’s back up but looks very wobbly and is saved by the bell.
Round two
Dubois starts the second with a vengeance, like a man possessed. AJ looks in real danger here. Good double jab from Dubois before a stiff left hook connects. He’s eager for a KO.
Both trade shots towards the end of the round. Joshua is looking lethargic and has eaten the fair of punches. Not so wobbly anymore, but improvements needed.
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: Here come the fighters
Daniel Dubois comes out first and there’s no shortage of pomp and pyro. The world champion arrives to a champion’s welcome.
Then follows AJ as ‘Oh, Anthony Joshua’ roars around Wembley. It’s clear to see who the crowd favourite is. Joshua looks locked in, whereas Dubois looked the looser of the two on his walk.
We’re in for a barnstormer and we are so ready for it.
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: Hollywood treatment
A pretty spectacular trailer for tonight’s headliner as Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois take centre stage in a ‘Sweet Caroline’-inspired promo.
Wembley is now getting a full rendition of the Neil Diamond classic. This is simply surreal - stadium fightcards in Britain just hit different.
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: Liam Gallagher is here
Liam Gallagher’s arrival has taken a bit longer than anticipated, but he’s finally taken to the stage after being introduced by the one and only Michael Buffer.
Might need to get a bit of a move on as Wembley have set quite a strict 11pm curfew and ring walks are scheduled to be in less than 20 minutes.
Is Joshua vs Dubois the final chapter in a cautionary tale?
In his complicated career, Anthony Joshua has headlined numerous stadium shows, the majority of them on the strength of his own name, brand and legacy. In fact, the only exceptions were arguably his victory over Wladimir Klitschko and first defeat by Oleksandr Usyk – both of which were seismic sporting events all around. So, what about Saturday’s headline contest: an IBF heavyweight title fight with Daniel Dubois?
In fairness, this bout probably belongs in the latter camp. It is true that Dubois, 27, is not yet in a position where he can fill stadiums regardless of his opponent, as “AJ” first did at the same age. But his reputation is as strong as it has ever been, and Joshua himself is resurgent.
And so Joshua will fight in stadium for the first time since his first clash with Usyk, in 2021, while Dubois does so for the second time in his career, having made his debut in such a venue last August – against Usyk, no less.
Is Joshua vs Dubois the final chapter in a cautionary tale?
The British heavyweights have both been written off numerous times. Yet here they are, about to headline at Wembley Stadium with a world title on the line
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: ‘One of the best nights in British boxing'
We’re edging closer to our main event, but Tony Bellew is already hailing tonight’s event as one to go down in the history books.
“For me it ranks right up there with the best nights we’ve ever seen in British boxing,” Bellew said.
“I was here for AJ vs Klitschko, it was unbelievable. I was here for Froch vs Groves. I’ve seen them all over the years and they’re legendary nights. This has been something special.
“The undercard has been absolutely fantastic. This is what Riyadh Season is about, it’s about making boxing great again.”
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: Tyson Fury issues bullish prediction
Tyson Fury was asked live on DAZN what he expected from tonight’s main event between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
“They’re going to knock the sh** out of each of other. It’s going to be a good fight,” the Gypsy King replied, in characteristic fashion.
We’re 40 minutes away from ring walks.
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: AJ arrives at Wembley Stadium
And just like that... Joshua arrives! In an all-white outfit, AJ with a strapped bag enters the stadium, strolling past a number of cameras and delivering a few fist bumps.
A thumbs up and Joshua disappears into his changing room. Relaxed, but without a smile, Joshua looks extremely focused.
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: AJ yet to enter Wembley Stadium
Daniel Dubois arrived over an hour ago, yet Anthony Joshua is nowhere to be seen.
We’re told he’s warming up in a nearby hotel, in the zone and away from the noise and distractions.
It’s an interesting strategy, but there is just over an hour until ring walks are due for the main event. Liam Gallagher is up next though, a three-song set is due up in 15 minutes...
Joshua vs Dubois LIVE: Tyler Denny vs Hamzah Sheeraz
A quite devastating performance from Sheeraz here! A first-round knockdown after just 12 seconds in the first bell.
And Denny was left in a daze from then on, shots clipping the top of his head and those winging bombs leaving him exposed in the corner just long enough to crumble into the ropes.
And as Denny leaped up, the referee snatched the last remaining hope, Sheeraz collapses to the canvas to celebrate and the undercard is complete!
Hamzah Sheeraz def. Tyler Denny by TKO2 to win EBU middleweight title
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