Anthony Joshua’s aspirations of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion were shattered in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, as Daniel Dubois delivered a commanding performance that left no doubt about his status as IBF titleholder.
Fighting in front of a record-breaking British crowd at Wembley Stadium, Dubois overwhelmed Joshua with raw power, knocking him down four times before finishing the fight with a brutal knockout in the fifth round. The result marked a devastating turning point for Joshua, whose career now hangs in the balance after suffering one of his most punishing defeats to date.
A Chance at History Slips Away
Joshua entered the ring aiming to join an elite group of fighters who have held the heavyweight title three times. However, that opportunity vanished under the pressure of Dubois’ relentless assault. Dubois, who had been elevated to champion status after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury, validated his position with a performance that left little room for debate.
From the opening bell, Dubois appeared confident and aggressive. Joshua struggled to find his rhythm, and by the second round, he was already on the canvas. Dubois continued to press the action, landing heavy shots that visibly stunned the former champion. Each knockdown chipped away at Joshua’s resolve, and by the fifth round, the fight was over. A thunderous right hand sealed Joshua’s fate, sending shockwaves through the boxing world.
A Night to Remember
Dubois’ victory was met with a roaring ovation from the Wembley crowd, who witnessed one of the most decisive and brutal heavyweight title fights in recent British boxing history. The image of Joshua crumpled on the mat, his face visibly swollen from the blows, circulated widely on social media, symbolizing the dramatic nature of the bout.
For Dubois, the win is a career-defining moment. Once seen as a rising talent with potential, he has now proven himself on the biggest stage, silencing critics and establishing himself as a true force in the division.
Undercard Results
In the co-main and undercard events, several British fighters also put on impressive performances:
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Hamzah Sheeraz defeated Tyler Denny via TKO in the second round.
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Joshua Buatsi edged out Willy Hutchinson in a split decision (117-108, 115-110, 112-113).
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Anthony Cacace earned a unanimous decision win over Josh Warrington (118-110, 117-111, 117-111).
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Josh Kelly battled to a majority draw with Ishmael Davis (115-113, 115-114, 114-114).
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Josh Padley won a unanimous decision over Mark Chamberlain (95-93, 96-92, 96-92).
The Aftermath
As the dust settles, questions now loom over Anthony Joshua’s future in boxing. Once the golden boy of British heavyweight boxing, Joshua now faces an uncertain road ahead. While he has bounced back from defeat before, the nature of this loss — marked by multiple knockdowns and a definitive finish — raises concerns about his ability to return to the top of the division.
Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois stands tall as the reigning IBF heavyweight champion, his stock rising rapidly after an unforgettable night. With the title firmly around his waist and momentum on his side, all eyes will be on what comes next for the 26-year-old powerhouse.
One thing is certain — the British boxing scene just witnessed a seismic shift, and Daniel Dubois is at the heart of it.
