Daniel Dubois dominated Anthony Joshua in emphatic fashion as he won a dramatic IBF heavyweight title fight with a fifth-round knockout at Wembley.
Dubois had spoken of his determination to “legitimise” his reign as IBF champion after being given the belt which Usyk vacated in June and he did exactly that with a destructive display that could signal the end of Joshua’s career.
Fighting with the aim of setting up a clash with the winner of Tyson Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk in December, Joshua was instead dominated from start to finish and was floored four times.
Dubois, weighing a career-high 17st 10lbs, was on the front foot and looking to land the more purposeful shots, his aggressive use of the head resulting in two warnings in the opening round but at the end of it he caught Joshua with a savage overhand right that floored the challenger and just as he returned to his feet, the bell sounded.
It was a dramatic start and the fireworks continued into the second round which saw Joshua in full survival mode, desperately clinging on to the underdog as he looked to find the finishing shot.
Dubois was guilty of being too frantic in his eagerness to end the night early but in the third round he had Joshua down again, a left hook causing his legs to buckle beneath him.
A standing eight count was followed by the bell and as the fourth round got underway Joshua was floored for the third time, although he protested that it was not a legitimate knockdown.
Dubois was momentarily stunned by two right and just as Joshua looked to pile on the pressure, the 34-year-old was caught by successive right hands himself and he was down again, this time unable to beat the count.
Delighted Dubois
Daniel Dubois said: "I've only got a few words to say: Are you not entertained?! It's been a long journey, I'm grateful to be in this position.
"I'm a gladiator, I'm a warrior to the bitter end. I want to reach the top level of this game and reach my full potential. I've been on a rollercoaster ride.
"This is my time, this is my redemption story, and I'm not going to stop until I reach my full potential."
Joshua saod: "Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice of success, but we came up short. You know I'm ready to kick off in the ring, but I'm going to keep my cool, keep very professional, and give respect to my opponent.
"I'm always saying to myself I'm a fighter for life… We keep rolling the dice. I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent and a lot of mistakes from my end, but that's the game."
Joshua v Dubois: Full card results
- MAIN EVENT: Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois (IBF heavyweight world title)
TKO, round five - Hamzah Sheeraz beat Tyler Denny
TKO, round two - Joshua Buatsi def. Willy Hutchinson
Split Decision (117-108, 115-110, 112-113) - Anthony Cacace def. Josh Warrington
Unanimous Decision (118-110, 117-111, 117-111) - Josh Kelly def. Ishmael Davis
Mixed Decision (115-113, 115-114, 114-114) - Josh Padley def. Mark Chamberlain
Unanimous decision (95-93, 96-92, 96-92)
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