Dubois destroys Joshua as boxing rocked by ‘shot of the decade’
Daniel Dubois has “shocked the world” in front of 96,000 as Sunday’s world title blockbuster turned into an “absolute destruction”.
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Daniel Dubois has destroyed Anthony Joshua in crazy scenes in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley on Sunday morning.
Dubois outclassed his former world champion opponent, knocking him down four times before a final KO punch in the fifth round ended the massacre.
“Dynamite” Dubois retained his IBF world heavyweight title with the thundering victory and now wants to turn his focus towards heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
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Joshua was dropped for the first time late in the first round when Dubois landed an overhand right hook. Joshua fell down onto his hands and knees before getting back up. He was saved by the bell, which couldn’t be heard over the noise.
“It is chaos at Wembley,” DAZN commentator Todd Grisham said.
Joshua was dropped again in the third round when he was caught on the ropes and took an uppercut while crouching down.
The crowd was going ballistic when it appeared that Joshua was not going to be able to get back to his feet and was on wobbly legs before he went down a third time.
Dubois kept up the barrage in the fourth round and it appeared only a matter of time before the referee stopped the fight.
Joshua, briefly appeared to have got back into the fight with some nice jabs early in the fifth round — but, suddenly, it was lights out.
On the back foot, Dubois timed his counter punches perfectly and sent Joshua crashing down to the floor with a dream right hand hook that landed flush on Joshua’s chin.
Having already had his face pulverised earlier in the fight, Joshua was finally done after five rounds of total punishment.
DAZN commentator Darren Barker described the finishing punch as “one of the shots of the decade”.
Boxing guru Dan Rafael wrote on Twitter: “In the replays, Dubois’ finishing right hand on AJ’s chin is one of the greatest shots you’ll ever see.
“Dubois KOs AJ in rd 5 with one big shot! Down and out for the count! It was an absolute destruction! Devastating performance.”
Barry Jones also said on DAZN: “You want to keep your best performance for the biggest night of your life.
“That was Daniel’s best performance. He’s shocked the world.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn said after the fight that Joshua has a rematch clause to force Dubois back into the ring, despite Dubois openly declaring he wants Usyk next.
To his credit, Joshua was all class in the ring after the result.
“Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice of success and we came up short,” he said.
“You know I’m p***ed and ready to kick off but I’m gonna keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”
It leaves Joshua’s career at a crossroads with the 34-year-old’s four-fight win streak coming to a crashing end.
It also means Joshua’s highly-anticipated eventual battle with Tyson Fury may never take place while both fighters are in their prime.
Fury, Usyk and Dubois now have bigger fish to fry than Joshua, who has now lost four of his last ten fights.
Dubois simply put on a show.
“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior to the bitter end and I’m just ready to go,” he said.
“This is my time. This is my redemption story and I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”
Dubois had spoken of his determination to “legitimise” his reign as IBF champion after being handed the belt that Usyk vacated in June.
Both fighters entered the ring intent on earning a shot at becoming undisputed world champion against Tyson Fury or Usyk.
Usyk became boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in May when he beat Fury, simultaneously holding the IBF title along with the WBO, WBC and WBA belts.
The Ukrainian agreed to a rematch with Fury rather than facing mandatory IBF challenger Dubois.
Dubois won the interim IBF title in June and was elevated to world champion status when Usyk vacated the belt.
Joshua was hoping to join an elite group including Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield as a three-time heavyweight champion.
Defeat to Andy Ruiz in 2019 and two losses at the hands of Usyk left his career on the brink.
He then won four straight fights and was aiming to return to the division’s top table.
Joshua hinted he would stay in the sport but after a fourth defeat in 32 fights he may now struggle to find a way back after such a devastating loss.
“We came up short as a team,” he said. “You know I’m ready to kick off in the ring but I’m going to keep it respectful.
“Before I came here, I always say to myself I’m a fighter for life. You keep rolling the dice. I had a fast and sharp opponent, a lot of mistakes from my end.”
— with AFP
Originally published as Dubois destroys Joshua as boxing rocked by ‘shot of the decade’
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