Daniel Dubois pulls off the shocker and stops Anthony Joshua to retain IBF title

At one time, not that way back, some labeled Daniel Dubois “a quitter.” They questioned his coronary heart, his integrity, and at his core, whether or not he was actually a championship-caliber fighter.

What’s vital is that he by no means questioned himself. Dubois fought again towards the stigma. He rejuvenated his profession with victories over Jarrell Miller (TKO 10) and Filip Hrgovic (TKO 8). His victory over Hrgovic gave him the IBF interim title, which had subsequently been upgraded to “full” titlist.

Nonetheless, he and Anthony Joshua wanted one another. They had been two broken boxing souls bonded by a standard thread—they every misplaced to undefeated Ring and heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk. Each needed to reclaim their standings within the heavyweight division, each wanted redemption in an odd approach towards one another.

Dubois obtained it Saturday evening in a shocking fifth-round knockout over Joshua as a part of Riyadh Season: Wembley Version earlier than a document 96,000 at Wembley Stadium, in London, England, retaining the IBF heavyweight title Usyk vacated for his December rematch with Tyson Fury.

The Ring’s No. 6 heavyweight contender, the 27-year-old Dubois (22-2, 21 knockouts) knocked down the 34-year-old Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) within the first, third, fourth and fifth rounds. The tip formally got here at :59 of the fifth, after Dubois caught Joshua on the jaw with a counter proper.

“I solely have a number of issues to say, ‘Are you not entertained!’” Dubois screamed to the energetic crowd. “It’s been a protracted journey. I’m grateful to be on this place. I’m a gladiator, and I’m a warrior that fights to the bitter finish. Behind the scenes, the work with my dad and a robust workforce helped me get by way of this. I’ve been on a curler coaster and that is my redemption story.”

Dubois linked on 91 of 230 punches (46%) with 27 high-impact connects, to Joshua’s 60 of 139 (48%), and 16 high-impact punches.

“Credit score to (Dubois) and his workforce,” Joshua stated. “We rolled the cube for fulfillment and we got here up quick. You already know I’m pissed. You already know I need to kick up within the ring. We preserve rolling the cube. I had a pointy opponent, a quick opponent, however lots of errors on my finish. That’s the sport, as pissed off as I’m.”

Daniel Dubois catches Anthony Joshua within the 1st spherical. From there, Joshua by no means had an opportunity towards Dubois. (Image By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing).

On the outset, Dubois attacked Joshua within the opening minute. Dubois, sporting black, entered the ring very composed, virtually seemingly too relaxed. In distinction, Joshua, in white trunks, appeared tight throughout his ring stroll.

Dubois, weighing a career-high 248.6 kilos, put Joshua down with an enormous, overhand proper to the chin within the final 5 seconds of the primary. That got here after Joshua missed Dubois with an overhand proper.

Not eager to lose any momentum, Dubois got here proper out at Joshua within the opening moments of the second spherical. Dubois appeared like he had Joshua in bother once more, although by the center of the spherical, Joshua appeared to stabilize himself. Joshua survived the spherical, regardless of being clubbed behind the top with a Dubois proper.

Initially of the third, Dubois surprised Joshua with a fast mixture. He had Joshua backing up and nonetheless seeking to get his legs underneath him. Within the closing minute of the spherical, Dubois despatched Joshua down a second time. Dubois buckled Joshua with a left to the chin, and referee Marcus McDonnell did a really poor job in not seeing Joshua’s gloves contact the canvas.

Dubois despatched Joshua down—formally—initially of the fourth. Perhaps it was a make-up name for the earlier spherical, as a result of it appeared extra like a slip than a knockdown brought on by a punch.