Daniel Dubois stunned the world and knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their IBF heavyweight title on Saturday night to retain his belt.
The two British rivals finally met inside the ring to battle it out for the heavyweight title inside of a packed-out Wembley stadium and, to the surprise of many, it was Dubois who emerged victorious.
From the opening bell, ‘Dynamite’ Dubois put on a sensational display as he showcased his immense power and scored a knockdown in the opening round.
A stunned ‘AJ’ returned to his corner to seek the guidance of trainer Ben Davison and, in the second round, he did manage to hang on as Dubois pushed forward.
However, Joshua never looked as though he’d fully recovered from the early blow and was on the canvas once again in the third round, seconds before the bell rang.
Daniel Dubois (right) knocked out Anthony Joshua (left) in the fifth round of their IBF heavyweight title fight at Wembley stadium on Saturday night
Wembley was stunned as Joshua failed to recover from a brutal right-hook in the fifth round
‘AJ’ was sent crashing to the canvas after the superb counter-punch from rival Dubois
Dubois watched on as Joshua struggled to get back to his feet and the bout was waved off
Dubois scored four knockdowns throughout the bout as Joshua struggled to keep pace
Not many had expected the dominant display from 27-year-old Dubois on Saturday evening
It didn’t take long for ‘AJ’ to be sent down to the canvas again as, in the fourth round, Dubois connected with another huge hook that had Joshua’s corner concerned.
Somehow, the 34-year-old managed to get to his feet once more and marched forward, despite the heavy blows he’d taken in the opening rounds.
However, it was all in the fifth after Joshua caught Dubois and charged forward before the IBF heavyweight champion delivered a brilliant counter right-hook that sent his rival to the canvas.
Joshua attempted to get back to his feet for the fourth time in the fight but stumbled over and gave the referee a simple decision to call off the bout.
There was clamour among the 96,000 fans in attendance as many couldn’t quite believe the emphatic display from Dubois on the night.
However, speaking inside the ring after the bout, Dubois insisted that he’s not even reached his ‘full potential’.
‘I’ve only got a few things to say, are you not entertained?!,’ he declared.
‘It’s been a journey and I’m grateful to be in this position. I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior until the bitter end.
Dubois celebrated with his IBF heavyweight title in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley stadium
There was respect between the two British stars inside the ring at Wembley after the bout
Dubois landed several huge right-hooks that had Joshua stumbling around the ring
The 34-year-old was given standing counts on two separate occasions during the bout
‘I want to get to the top of this sport and reach my full potential.
‘Behind the scenes, the work with my dad. I’ve been on a rollercoaster run, this is my time, this is my redemption story. I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.’
Meanwhile, after the fight, Joshua remained humble in defeat and admitted he ‘came up short’ on the night – as he suffered the fourth loss of his professional career.
Joshua said: ‘Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice of success, but we came up short.
‘You know I’m ready to kick off in the ring, but I’m going to keep my cool, keep very professional, and give respect to my opponent.
‘I’m always saying to myself I’m a fighter for life… We keep rolling the dice.
‘I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent and a lot of mistakes from my end, but that’s the game.’
The defeat to Dubois sparks debate over Joshua’s career and likely puts an end to the possibility that he will ever face rival Tyson Fury – who is scheduled to fight Oleksandr Usyk in December.
‘Dynamite’ Dubois, on the other hand, will be watching that bout attentively with the hopes of adding to his IBF heavyweight title.
Dubois seemed to find success in the pocket and landed some big blows from close-range
In the end, trainer Ben Davison threw in the towel and rushed into the ring as it was waved off
The 27-year-old has never faced Fury before but will be looking for vengeance against Usyk, should the Ukrainian win, after falling to defeat in their fight last year.
Matchroom boxing chief Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, revealed what the next steps are for the Watford-based boxer following the defeat.
Speaking to DAZN, Hearn said: ‘I’m sure he’ll exercise that rematch clause, I think that’s a given. He’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight. This guy’s growing in confidence all the time.
‘He’ll believe he can hurt Dubois. He’ll believe he can beat him, but full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit tonight. It was a great performance from Daniel.’
The stars were out to see the blockbuster display from Dubois on the night, with the likes of Conor McGregor, Tyson Fury and Maya Jama all in attendance.
Fury was another who offered his assessment on the fight and slammed critics for ‘writing Dubois off’ beforehand.
After the fight, Dubois insisted that he still hasn’t ‘reached my potential’ in the boxing game
Meanwhile, Eddie Hearn insisted that Joshua will likely activate a rematch clause with Dubois
He said: ‘Fantastic job. He did a very good job and fair play to young Dan.
‘Everybody wrote him off you know. Coming here he was the world champion and everyone chatted like he was a bum.
‘And he showed what he’s made of and it’s very good for him. Fantastic. Fair play.’
Asked about Joshua’s display, Fury reminded viewers of his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in May in a fight which saw the Gypsy King lose on points after being rocked in the ninth and 11th rounds.
‘Listening it’s heavyweight boxing – it happens, doesn’t it,’ he said. ‘It happened to me, it can happen to anybody.’