Daniel Dubois faced off against Anthony Joshua on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium in London, where the fight, originally scheduled for 12 rounds, concluded in the fifth round. Dubois successfully retained his IBF heavyweight title by knocking out Joshua with a powerful right hand to the chin. This victory came after Dubois had already knocked Joshua down four times during the match.
Following this win, Dubois has earned the opportunity to challenge the winner of the upcoming fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21. The knockout marked a significant setback for Joshua, who was hoping to climb back up the heavyweight ranks but now stands at a record of 28 wins and 4 losses.
The evening’s main event attracted a full house of 96,000 fans at Wembley, leading to an explosive atmosphere. Joshua reflected on his defeat, acknowledging a sharp performance from Dubois and lamenting his own mistakes. Dubois, on the other hand, expressed his determination, stating, “I’m just a warrior to the end, to the bitter end.”
The fight report details the action across the rounds, with Dubois demonstrating aggression and skill throughout. He knocked Joshua down in the first round, and despite moments where Joshua showed glimpses of resistance, Dubois maintained control until the decisive knockout.
Alongside the main event, the evening featured several notable undercard bouts. Hamzah Sheeraz achieved victory over Tyler Denny by TKO, while Joshua Buatsi won a split decision against Willy Hutchinson to claim the vacant WBO light heavyweight title.
In another highlight, Anthony Cacace defeated Josh Warrington by unanimous decision, showcasing his prowess as the IBF and IBO world super featherweight champion. Finally, Josh Kelly secured a majority decision win against Ishmael Davis despite a tough final round.
Celebrity attendance added to the event’s allure, with notable figures such as Conor McGregor and Tyson Fury present ringside, further enhancing the spectacle of the night.