Daniel Dubois is one of the top dogs in the heavyweight division.
The 27-year-old has put together three of the best back-to-back wins anywhere in the sport in the last year or so. He first managed to stop the giant Jarrell Miller in the final few seconds of their fight last December, then he
overcame some early pressure from Filip Hrgovic to secure another stoppage win before beating Anthony Joshua with a stunning knockout this September.
Following Joshua’s defeat, the Ben Davison Performance Centre was left in a heavy atmosphere that impacted everyone, including rising star Moses Itauma.
Anthony Joshua’s recent loss to Daniel Dubois cast a heavy shadow over the Ben Davison Performance Centre, affecting not only his career but also the morale of his trainer and fellow fighters. Young heavyweight contender Moses Itauma, who trains under Davison’s guidance, described the atmosphere as deeply somber, akin to the aftermath of a personal loss. For Itauma and his gym mates, Joshua’s defeat was a sobering reminder of boxing’s unforgiving nature and the stakes at play for anyone climbing the ranks.
Joshua’s unexpected defeat in five intense rounds by Dubois shook his team and gym to the core, with the normally upbeat Ben Davison struggling to rally spirits. Itauma, a 19-year-old with high aspirations in the sport, explained that returning to the gym felt like entering a space of mourning. “The gym vibe was down,” Itauma shared. “Ben’s reaction reminded me that this isn’t just a sport; it’s a part of who we are. It mattered that he wasn’t just brushing it off.” For Itauma, Davison’s somber mood signaled a depth of commitment, one that Itauma believes is crucial for a coach guiding fighters to the top.
Despite the challenges, Itauma sees the reaction to Joshua’s loss as a catalyst, a spark pushing everyone to refocus on their individual paths. Having recently returned from a break and eager to train, he described how the emotional weight in the gym helped him channel that energy toward his next fight against Australian Demsey McKean on December 21. This atmosphere of seriousness reminded Itauma of his own goals and what it takes to achieve them.
Itauma, who has already achieved ten wins in his early career, feels a heightened drive to succeed in the wake of Joshua’s loss. His path to success hasn’t been easy, and the weight of Joshua’s defeat underscores the resilience required in boxing. “When I came back from my holiday, I realized how much I need this,” Itauma said. “Boxing isn’t just a job; it’s part of me. I want to make an impact not only in the ring but in people’s lives.”
AJ’s loss to Daniel Dubois doesn’t appear to have changed much.
Boxing fans want to see the biggest names fight the biggest names. That’s not always possible, but there was a time where that seemed to cease to be the case. In the past few years, though, fans have gotten what they always wanted. Big-time boxers have put aside differences and found a way to negotiate mega fights.
Tyson Fury can proudly throw his name into that category. He’s never been afraid, setting up fights against Wladimir Klitschko, Derek Chisora, Deontay Wilder, and most recently, Oleksandr Usyk. The Usyk fight didn’t go as he planned, with the relentless Ukrainian edging him out in a split decision. Fury will get his chance at revenge in December, but he continues to dream up a fight against Anthony Joshua with seemingly every chance he gets.
He did so again while speaking to TNT Sports on Saturday, reiterating that he plans to fight Joshua at some point, and making it clear that Joshua’s loss to Daniel Dubois changes nothing in that regard.
He will never escape the Gypsy King. He will always have to fight me. I don’t care if he never wins another fight for 20 years, we will have to fight for the fans of this country… At the end of the day, it would be a travesty if we didn’t fight. No matter if he loses 20 more fights, if he doesn’t win another fight and he has 10 years away from the game, it doesn’t matter. We have to fight.
If the bout does come to fruition, it will be a true spectacle for the British audience. It makes too much sense not to happen, but time isn’t on their side.
Potential second bout between the British heavyweights would not be staged at Wembley
Anthony Joshua is keen to take on Daniel Dubois in a rematch which is likely to take place in Saudi Arabia, according to his promoter Eddie Hearn.
Joshua was floored four times by Dubois before being knocked out in the fifth round of their heavyweight title bout at Wembley last month.
The 34-year-old has a rematch clause in his contract with the Saudi organisers who staged the fight.
And when asked to provide an update on the situation, Hearn told FightHub: “So the big decision now really is – do we take the rematch?
“There’s a keenness from His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] to make that rematch in February, it’s part of our options within our contract.
“I think AJ will always lean towards the rematch. You saw him rematch Andy Ruiz straight away, you saw him rematch Oleksandr Usyk straight away.
“For me the other carrot that may dangle is obviously waiting for the Fury vs Usyk fight on December 21. But he said something the other day: ‘What happens if one of them gets injured?’
“You’re gonna be out of the ring for nearly a year, and I’m not sure coming off the back of that kind of defeat you want to be out the gym for too long.
DDD dropped AJ four times including a lethal finish in the fifth round to bring an end to proceedings.
There were some big moments prior to the main event on Wembley’s stacked undercard – Josh Warrington RETIRED after losing to Anthony Cacace while Liam Gallagher provided the music with a three-song set comprising of Oasis anthems.
Seconds before he went out on his shield, Anthony Joshua stuck his tongue out at someone in the crowd.
He was clearly having fun in there, although it was somewhat bizarre for him to be focused on what was going on outside the ring as opposed to Dubois.
Anthony Joshua discovered the true power of Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois on a humbling night for the former heavyweight champ.
AJ’s face was left distorted and misshapen in a remarkable image from the pair’s brutal IBF world title fight.
What a bloke Anthony Joshua is.
Even after suffering a crushing defeat that ends his dream of becoming a three-time heavyweight champion, AJ still had time for selfies with fans.
A testament to the measure of the man.
Anthony Joshua had no excuses and was full of praise for opponent Daniel Dubois.
AJ said: “I’m a warrior. And also, before I finish, we have to give credit to our opponent as well, Daniel.
“Even though when I sign up to fight opponents I don’t really like them.
“But now it’s done, I take my hat off to him and say well done to him and his team.”
Daniel Dubois shockingly knack Anthony Joshua in five rounds to carry im sef go global sporting glory in front of 96,000 fans for Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Di 27-year-old drop Joshua many times to retain di IBF heavyweight title and leave im British rival career to scata.
Afta strong start, Dubois eventually stop Joshua wit better counter attack to secure di biggest win of im 24-fight career.
“Are you not entertained?” Dubois tok afta di fight to di hailing of di crowd for Wembley.
“I be gladiator. I be warrior to di bitter end. I wan reach di top level of dis sport and reach my potential.”
Joshua bid to become a three-time champion and return to di division top table end in di way wey im no even expect.
AJ – wey win im first world title more dan eight years ago – suffer im fourth loss inside im 32nd bout.
Di 2012 Olympic gold medallist work imsef back into compulsory challenger status, but di dominant nature of Dubois win don leave ogbonge kwesion mark for Joshua body.
Dubois wey dey happy well-well enjoy di crowning moment wey im bin don dey eye since Oleksandr Usyk leave di belt.
Follow live reaction as Daniel Dubois stops Anthony Joshua to win an enthralling all-British heavyweight title fight at London’s Wembley Stadium
How on earth has Anthony Joshua made it this far?!
“I’m okay,” he tells his corner. “I’m staying smart.” But he’s wide open and wobbling.
And then, out of nowhere, he lands a big right hand that rocks Daniel Dubois! Sensational. He rushes in, scenting one of the most sensational comebacks in the history of the sport, but…
Daniel Dubois walks Anthony Joshua onto a stunning shot of his own!
Joshua sinks down. His legs have well and truly gone this time. He tries to rise to his feet, falls, and his cornermen rush over to protect him from himself. It’s the end of the fight. Daniel Dubois has stopped Anthony Joshua in the fifth round.
Anthony Joshua returns to London’s Wembley Stadium for the fourth time to face IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois on Saturday (DAZN PPV).
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs), of Watford, England, is a two-time heavyweight champion. He won the IBF title against Charles Martin in 2016, became a three-belt unified champ when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in ESPN’s 2017 fight of the year and took the WBO championship from Joseph Parker in 2018.
Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs), of London, is a former IBF interim champ who was elevated to full champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt in June to pursue a rematch with Tyson Fury.
Also on the card, Joshua Buatsi takes on Willy Hutchinson in a 12-round bout for the vacant WBO interim light heavyweight title. Buatsi (18-0, 13 KOs), of Accra, Ghana, and now living in London, won 13 of his first 15 fights by stoppage but has gone the distance in his past three, including a dominant performance against Dan Azeez in February.
Hutchinson (18-1, 13 KOs), of Carstairs, Scotland, was rapidly climbing the U.K. boxing ladder until he suffered a defeat via fifth-round TKO to Lennox Clarke in March 2021. Hutchinson has recovered to win five consecutive fights.
Anthony Joshua is eager to fight Tyson Fury, but can’t see him getting revenge over Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury lost to Usyk in May in their undisputed title clash, but will get a shot at redemption on December 21 when he rematches the unbeaten Ukrainian.
A win for Fury could set up a showdown for all of the marbles against Joshua, who will be waiting in the wings if he beats Daniel Dubois in his own world title clash on September 21.
Joshua believes a fight with the ‘Gypsy King’ needs to happen, but expects Usyk to pick up a second consecutive win.
He said in an interview with Queensberry Promotions: “I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again.
“He’s a class operator and I feel like Usyk’s one of the best out there. That’s why I think he’ll win.”
On a potential showdown with Fury in 2025, he added: “It needs to happen, it’s just taking a long time, it needs to happen.
“But he’s got his hands full and so have I. Let’s both do our jobs and we’ll see a positive 2025 I’m sure of it because we know that the people that are listening want to make good things happen.
“So potentially we might see Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury enter into a ring in collaboration with Riyadh Season, here in London.
“But let’s get focused on Daniel, that’s our main objective and we’ll see what happens there.”
Joshua clearly is focused on his current task at hand, but two huge paydays could lay in store for the Briton against Fury if they both win.
Irrespective of the result, there would still be huge interest in an all-British mega-fight given the clamour to see it for several years.
Anthony Joshua challenges Daniel Dubois for the IBF world heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on September 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office; AJ knocked out Francis Ngannou in March while Dubois halted Filip Hrgovic earlier this month
Anthony Joshua will face Daniel Dubois in an all-British heavyweight clash for the IBF world heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on September 21, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Oleksandr Usyk announced on Tuesday that he had vacated the IBF belt, which means Joshua can regain one of the world titles he previously held if he defeats Dubois, who has been upgraded from IBF interim title holder to the IBF champion.
Joshua has marched back up the heavyweight ranks after suffering two consecutive losses to Usyk, who went on to become the undisputed world champion with his stunning victory over Tyson Fury last month.
The 34-year-old Joshua was outpointed by Usyk in two fights that spanned 2021 and 2022.
He returned with a points win over Jermaine Franklin in 2023, but then followed up with stoppage victories over Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin later that year.
He’s boxed once this year already, taking out Francis Ngannou in just two rounds. Ngannou, a former UFC champion in MMA, was an inexperienced boxer, but he had managed to go the 10-round distance with Tyson Fury in his first professional boxing bout.
