The British Daniel Dubois destroyed the dream of Anthony Joshua to be three-time world heavyweight champion with a KO in the fifth round to retain his IBF belt in one full of Wembley stadium (London) this Saturday.
Dubois dropped his compatriot to the canvas in the first round with a powerful right hand, the referee declared the count eight and the 27-year-old boxer proceeded to destroy pre-fight predictions with the same speed that he attacked his rival. .
Joshua, 34, landed another blow in the second round but managed to weather the storm before the third round collapsed around him again. With Dubois landing more right hands, Joshua was literally on the ropes before being saved by the bell.
He was barely able to stand at the end of the fourth, collapsed again with two minutes remaining, and it was all over in the fifth, with the painstaking reconstruction of his career suddenly ruined.
After a couple of good punches, any hint of a comeback was met with a jab to the chin that knocked Joshua, the former IBF, WBA and IBO champion, unable to get up this time.
“I only have a few words to say: Aren’t you entertained?
“I am a gladiator, a warrior to the end. I want to reach the highest level of this sport and reach my full potential. I am on a roller coaster. This is my moment, this is my story of redemption, and I will not stop until I reach my full potential,” said Dubois.
Organizers said the attendance at the match marked a post-World War II British record: 96,000 spectators attended the Saudi-funded match at London’s Wembley Stadium. Among them are the leader of Oasis, Liam Gallagher, and the Ukrainian champion of the WBC, the WBA and the WBO, Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk has already defeated Joshua and Dubois and will face the British Tyson Fury, also presentin a rematch to be held in Saudi Arabia in December.
Joshua could have hoped to get a chance at the winner of that fight, but instead he faces an uncertain future. Dubois said he hopes to get another chance at Usyk, who beat him in nine rounds in Wroclaw, Poland, last year. Usyk previously held the IBF belt, but vacated it for the rematch with Fury. Dubois was the interim title holder and was promoted to world champion in June.
“The credit goes to him and his team. We rolled the dice of success, but we came up short. My opponent was fast and there were many mistakes on my part, but that’s the game,” declared Joshua after his 13th title fight
He first won the IBF belt in 2016 from Charles Martin at the O2 Arena in London. Joshua lost it to Andy Ruiz in 2019, but regained it the same year. Usyk took it from him in 2021.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn says he hopes to work out a rematch clause.
Source: La Verdad
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