On the evening of September 21, 27-year-old British fighter Daniel Dubois captured global attention by defeating compatriot Anthony Joshua with a stunning knockout victory in the fifth round. The fight took place at Wembley Stadium, drawing 96,000 fans and setting a post-war attendance record for a boxing event in the UK.
Dramatic First Round
With just seconds left in the first round, Dubois landed a powerful right hook that caused Joshua to buckle to the canvas. Despite his efforts to rise before the referee’s count, Joshua couldn’t withstand the immense pressure from Dubois.
Fierce Punches
At the end of the third round, Dubois showcased his strength with a series of consecutive punches, forcing Joshua to fall once more. In the fourth round, Joshua was knocked down again, unable to endure the heavy blows from his opponent. By the fifth round, Dubois attacked vigorously once more, leaving Joshua unable to stand and losing by knockout.
Impressive Statistics
According to CompuBox data, Dubois landed 196 punches over five rounds, with 79 hitting the target (a 40% accuracy rate). In contrast, Joshua threw 117 punches, with only 32 landing (27%). Dubois also dominated with jabs and accurate power shots, demonstrating clear superiority.
Shocking Victory
The win at Wembley not only allowed Dubois to retain his IBF heavyweight title but also marked a significant step forward in his career. After Oleksandr Usyk vacated the championship, Dubois officially became the world champion, raising his overall record to 22 wins out of 24, with 21 knockouts.
Joshua: A Long Road to Recovery
For Joshua, this was a painful defeat in his fifth bid for the heavyweight world title. Despite the loss, he still earned $33 million from the fight due to a higher revenue-sharing agreement. Dubois, while only taking home around $13.2 million, set a record for his highest earnings from a professional boxing match.
This victory opens the door for Dubois to participate in a heavyweight unification bout in 2025, while Joshua will need to find a way to reclaim his status in a rematch. The upcoming fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury at the end of the year will be a crucial factor in determining the future for both fighters.
