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When he first appeared on the boxing scene, Anthony Joshua seemed the next big thing in the heavyweight division. Anthony Joshua has long been the dominant force in boxing, boasting an impressive physique and strength that fans hadn't seen in years. Remarkably, this experienced fighter knocked out Vladimir Klitschko, who had previously accomplished incredible feats in the boxing world.
Although many thought Anthony Joshua would be the top figure in boxing for years, things took an unexpected turn. 34 years 34-year-old boxer has shown vulnerabilities in several fights, not living up to fan expectations, and last night he experienced a notable defeat. Losing to Daniel Dubois has shaken the foundation of Joshua’s career, which was already starting to head off track.
Dubois looked impressive in the ring, and even with some doubting his chances, he proved just how skilled he really is. This win was a turning point for him and highlighted the obstacles Joshua now faces in trying to regain his former status.
This match was for the IBF world championship title. Dubois, seven years younger than Joshua, entered the ring with a record of 21-2 but hadn’t scored any major victories against top-tier fighters. His biggest challenge before this was against Oleksandr Usyk, who knocked him out in the ninth round.
Joshua's career has been in decline for a while, and last night, Dubois delivered a powerful hook in the fifth round, sending the once-great "golden boy" of British boxing to the canvas.
Now, Dubois might look to challenge Usyk again, as the Ukrainian isn’t afraid to face anyone. In his last seven fights, Usyk has taken on several British boxers, defeating Joshua twice along with Tyson Fury, Dubois, Derek Chisora, and Tony Bellew. With few challengers left, Usyk may need to seek new opponents as he continues to build his legacy.
After the fight, Anthony Joshua showed that he is a true sportsman who respects his opponents. Immediately following his defeat, he congratulated Dubois. The seasoned boxer acknowledged that he had trained extensively for this match and had high expectations going into it. However, his opponent proved to be exceptional, ready, and capitalized on every mistake Joshua made. Dubois had been preparing for this moment, knowing he was up against a fighter with a long list of important victories in his career.
“Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice of success, but we came up short,” said Joshua, as quoted by CNN.
“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.”
The 27-year-old Daniel Dubois was delighted with his impressive victory, sending a strong message to fans. He showed just how confident he is in the ring and what he expects from himself moving forward. Dubois believes this is just one of many challenges ahead as he aims to reach his full potential.
Born in Greenwich, he has only faced two major setbacks in his career: first against Oleksandr Usyk last year in Poland, and earlier against Joe Joyce in 2020. Both times, he lost by knockout. However, having just two defeats in 22 fights is still a great record.
“I’ve only got a few words to say: ‘Are you not entertained?’” he said.
“I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior to the bitter end. I want to get to 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.”
Reactions
Fans had mixed feelings about the fight. Anthony Joshua's supporters weren't too pleased with what they witnessed, believing he needs to make some changes if he truly wanted to compete with the best like he once did. On the other hand, Dubois's fans have every reason to be happier than ever, as he’s in fantastic form and on track to break many records. Last night’s performance showcased the incredible potential this 27-year-old possesses.
Usyk explained that he wasn’t surprised by Dubois's victory over Joshua, stating that in boxing, anything can happen and that Dubois simply performed better that day. He pointed out that Joshua faced a specific issue: leaning back in a way that can be risky. Instead of leaning back like that, Usyk emphasized that it's safer to step back by moving your feet, which helps avoid danger in the ring.
The Ukrainian fighter saw several flaws in Joshua's performance, suggesting that he clearly needs to make some changes if he wants to even resemble the fighter he was a few years ago.
English (US)