Anthony Joshua’s world was rocked by Daniel Dubois with his latest setback leaving us to wonder what is next for the two-time heavyweight champion.
In front of a crowd of over 96,000 at Wembley Stadium, Joshua was left in a daze as Dubois sent him crashing to the canvas four times before finishing the job in stunning fashion in the fifth round.
It was the fourth defeat of his career and certainly the most damaging.
In the hours after Saturday’s defeat, the conversation inevitably turned to the possibility of retirement. But while he still has the desire to fight on, big offers will continue to come Joshua’s way. A defeat as devastating as the one suffered on Saturday night could be considered career-ending for other fighters, but the former Olympian remains a box office name and has shown in the past he has the resolve to claw his way back.
‘You’re probably asking if I still want to consider fighting? Of course I want to continue fighting,’ Joshua said post-fight. ‘We took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now? That we’re going to run away? We’re going to live to fight another day. And that’s what I am – I’m a warrior.’
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed there is a rematch clause, one he expects Joshua to activate. Given how damaging last night’s defeat was, it may be his only real option.
‘I think he [Joshua] will exercise that rematch clause, I think that’s a given,’ Hearn said. ‘He’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight, this guy is growing in confidence all the time.’
Defeat this weekend will dampen hopes of the long-awaited showdown between Joshua or Tyson Fury – but not extinguish them completely. Matchroom CEO Frank Smith confirmed to Metro.co.uk this week the fight was closer than its ever been, likely for 2025 even in the event of Fury losing to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in December.
A second defeat to the Ukrainian for Fury would leave the two Britons on collision course. The fight, even without world titles at stake, remains the biggest fight in the division and a dream ticket for Saudi Arabia and Turki Alalshikh.
But as was the case with Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquaio and Amir Khan vs Kell Brook, it would come far too late with both men past their best. Time is ticking on that fight with both Hearn and Smith explaining this week it must happen in 2025 or disappear forever.
“We have another fight with Riyadh Season and Turki Al-Sheikh and Daniel Dubois is part of that plan, but so too could be Tyson Fury or another heavyweight,’ said Hearn last night.
‘I think that 2025 is going to be an interesting year for Anthony Joshua, one way or another, but he will definitely be back and whether it’s against Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, whoever, you’re going to be entertained.’
Joshua has proven in the past he can bounce back. He avenged his 2019 defeat to Ruiz Jr at the first time of asking. While outclassed on both occasions against Usyk, a run of four wins against Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou restored his confidence with his new partnership with Ben Davison looking an astute one. The performance against Dubois was a tactical disaster but the duo will feel the right adjustments can rectify things should the rematch go ahead.
The bigger question will be, will Joshua be the same? For any fighter, their punch resistance will begin to go the longer their careers go. Joshua was an easy target for Dubois and never truly recovered after being knocked down in the first round. Last night was clear evidence his best days may be behind him.
Victory for Dubois meanwhile gives him considerable world title legitimacy, having inherited the IBF title after it was vacated by Usyk. The Londoner is now perfectly placed to fight the winner of Usyk vs Fury II in December with his prospects brighter than ever.