September 21, 2024
By Okafor Joseph Afam

In one of the most highly anticipated heavyweight clashes of 2024, Daniel Dubois delivered a stunning knockout victory over Anthony Joshua, securing his IBF heavyweight title in dramatic fashion. The bout, held in front of a packed crowd of 96,000 at Wembley Stadium, came to an explosive conclusion in the fifth round, cementing Dubois’ place among the top heavyweights in the world.

The fight, scheduled for 12 rounds, was never expected to go the distance. With both boxers having a history of devastating knockouts—Joshua entering with 25 KOs from his 28 wins, and Dubois with an incredible 20 KOs from his 21 wins—fans and analysts alike predicted an early finish. The prediction held true as Dubois, the younger fighter at 27, overwhelmed Joshua with a combination of power and precision.

Fight Recap:

Joshua, who had been working his way back up the heavyweight rankings following two consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2022, came into the fight with four straight wins. However, the quality of his recent opposition had been questioned, with his most notable victory being against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. Dubois, on the other hand, had bounced back from his own defeat to Usyk in 2023 by knocking out Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic in consecutive bouts.

From the opening bell, Dubois looked sharp, landing powerful jabs and forcing Joshua onto the back foot. In the third round, Dubois scored the first of four knockdowns with a brutal left hook that caught Joshua off-guard. While Joshua managed to get back to his feet, it was clear that Dubois’ power was a problem.

Joshua tried to regain control in the fourth round, landing some clean shots of his own, but Dubois responded with a relentless barrage of punches. By the fifth round, Joshua was struggling to stay in the fight. Dubois capitalized on an opening and delivered a vicious right hook to Joshua’s chin, sending the former two-time champion crashing to the canvas for the final time. The referee immediately called off the fight, awarding Dubois the knockout victory.

What’s Next for Dubois?

With this win, Daniel Dubois improves to 22-2, positioning himself for a blockbuster unification bout against the winner of the highly anticipated December 21 fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Dubois, who has now solidified his status as one of the top heavyweights, will be looking to take on either Usyk or Fury to further cement his legacy.

For Anthony Joshua, the loss marks his first defeat in five fights, dropping his record to 28-4. At 34 years old, questions will undoubtedly arise about his future in the sport. Despite his impressive comeback after the Usyk defeats, this loss to Dubois may force him to reconsider his path forward.

Conclusion:

Dubois’ emphatic victory over Joshua will resonate throughout the boxing world. With his power and growing confidence, Dubois is now poised to take on the biggest names in the division. As the boxing world turns its attention to the Usyk-Fury showdown, Dubois stands ready for his chance at ultimate glory.