Anthony Joshua’s career suffered a stunning blow as he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in a dramatic fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21, 2024. The defeat could signal the end of Joshua’s hopes for a mega-fight against Tyson Fury and raises serious questions about his future in the sport.
Joshua appeared to be in control during the early rounds, even rocking Dubois at one point. However, a devastating right hand from Dubois in the fifth round changed everything. The punch floored Joshua, and while he managed to continue for a short while, Dubois capitalized, finishing the former two-time heavyweight champion with another powerful shot.
The knockout comes as a shock to the boxing world, with many expecting Joshua to win and set up a showdown with Fury. The loss, however, leaves Joshua’s career hanging in the balance, as critics and fans question whether he can continue at the top level.
In the post-fight press conference, Joshua expressed his determination to keep fighting. “Of course, I want to continue fighting,” Joshua said. “We took a shot at success and came up short… But are we going to run away? Or are we going to live to fight another day? That’s what I am, I’m a warrior.”
The fight had several dramatic moments, including a video that surfaced showing Joshua playing with the crowd and sticking his tongue out just moments before being knocked out. The decision to showboat, given the intense nature of the fight, has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, who was ringside, admitted he was surprised by the result, saying, “I expected Anthony Joshua to win.” Usyk, who defeated Joshua twice in 2021 and 2022, had been preparing for a possible unification fight with Tyson Fury, but Dubois’ victory could shift the heavyweight landscape.
Former UFC star Conor McGregor was also in attendance, and his animated reaction to Joshua being knocked down in the first round captured the shock felt by many in the stadium.
Fan reactions have been mixed, with some calling for Joshua to retire after a sluggish and stiff performance. One fan from London said, “I am an AJ fan but I think he needs to retire. He looked sluggish and stiff in the ring.” Another fan added, “End of the road, AJ.
Despite the loss, some boxing insiders are already speculating about what’s next for Dubois, with Chris Eubank Jr. suggesting that Dubois could defeat Usyk if they fought again. Dubois had previously fought Usyk and briefly rocked him but was ultimately beaten by the Ukrainian champion.
Dubois now holds the IBF heavyweight belt after his emphatic win over Joshua, and his stock in the heavyweight division has risen dramatically. With the heavyweight landscape shifting once again, Dubois may now be positioned for bigger fights, while Joshua faces an uncertain future.
Joshua’s knockout defeat to Dubois marks a pivotal moment in his career, leaving fans and analysts to wonder if the former champion can bounce back or if this signals the end of his time at the top of the heavyweight division
