Anthony Joshua will box Daniel Dubois in a highly-anticipated all-British heavyweight title fight tonight, with a domestic-record crowd expected to fill out Wembley Stadium.
A staggering 96,000 fans will be present to see Joshua challenge Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title, as “AJ” looks to cement his legacy by becoming a three-time world champion.
The 34-year-old lost the unified belts to Oleksandr Usyk in 2021 and came up short again in their 2022 rematch. Since then, however, Joshua has been on a tear, securing four consecutive victories, including a decision over Jermaine Franklin and knockouts of Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin, and UFC star Francis Ngannou.
Dubois, meanwhile, also tasted defeat at the hands of Usyk, losing by stoppage in 2023. However, the 27-year-old has rebuilt with decisive wins, including stoppages over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, claiming the interim IBF title. With Usyk vacating the belt, Dubois was elevated to full champion status, making tonight’s clash his first defence.
Dubois makes his ring walk first and there is a deafening applause. The world champion arrives tO a champion’s welcome.
Then follows Joshua who starts his walk to the theme tune from The Godfather and then it quickly shifts into some Jay-Z. Dressed in a very slick white robe with shoulder pads from the 70s, Joshua stands tall with his chest out and he looks almost robotic as he walks.
The song ‘War’ from the movie Rocky IV plays as he steps into the ring.
ROUND ONE: Dubois downs Joshua!
Dubois takes the centre of the ring from the start and starts working the left jab. He then backs Joshua on to the ropes and follows with an overhand right.
Joshua shells up and then grabs the waist of Dubois.
Really positive start from the IBF heavyweight champion who then sends Joshua to the floor. Dubois landed a bruising overhand right to send Joshua tumbling to the canvas.
Joshua beats the count and then the bell rings to bring an end to the round.
ROUND TWO: Dubois wins round two
Dubois continues to dominate. Joshua is on the run, struggling to find his footing. Dubois relentlessly attacks both body and head, keeping the pressure on.
Joshua doesn’t seem to have fully recovered from that right hand in the first round. The two-time champion doesn’t seem to have a solid base underneath him.
He tries to move back but looks unsteady, his hands dropping as Dubois lands another stiff jab.
Joshua looks sluggish.
The bell rings. Two rounds down, and it’s all Dubois so far.
ROUND THREE: Dubois floors Joshua again!
Dubois bursts out of his corner with determination. Joshua, still unsteady, clinches to stay upright but can’t avoid a barrage of left jabs from the champion.
A wild, energy-sapping hook from Joshua misses its mark completely. He’s clearly feeling the effects of the previous rounds.
Joshua attempts another jab and throws an uppercut that narrowly misses as Dubois presses forward. This is a far cry from the composed Joshua of his last four fights, who dictated the pace and made opponents fight on his terms.
Tonight, it’s Dubois calling the shots, and Joshua is struggling to find an answer.
Suddenly, Joshua is rocked again! He stumbles, his glove seemingly touching the canvas as he rolls his ankle. The referee doesn’t count it as a knockdown.
Dubois, seizing the moment, pours on the pressure and scores another knockdown. Joshua manages to beat the count just as the bell sounds, ending another dominant round for Dubois.
ROUND FOUR: One-way traffic for Dubois!
Joshua is clearly in trouble now. He absorbs a punishing left from Dubois that nearly sends him sprawling to the canvas, but somehow manages to stay on his feet.
Displaying remarkable resilience, Joshua pulls himself upright. Dubois, relentless in his assault, immediately presses forward to capitalize on his advantage.
This round is entirely dominated by Dubois. Joshua, barely holding on, can only absorb punishment.
With 30 seconds left in the round, Joshua bizarrely sticks out his tongue as the referee separates the fighters. Despite Dubois throwing everything he has at Joshua, the two-time world champion stubbornly remains standing.
ROUND FIVE: Dubois knocks Joshua out
Joshua is laid down on the canvas. It’s all over!
Joshua came out and seemed to hurt Dubois at the start of round five but he overcommitted and Dubois found the counter. A perfectly timed right landed non the temple, Joshua shook it off but another clean right hit the jaw and Joshua went face down.
Joshua tried to get back to his feet but it wasn’t happening this time.
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