Daniel Dubois pulls off the shocker and stops Anthony Joshua to retain IBF title

At one time, not that way back, some labeled Daniel Dubois “a quitter.” They questioned his coronary heart, his integrity, and at his core, whether or not he was actually a championship-caliber fighter.

What’s essential is that he by no means questioned himself. Dubois fought again towards the stigma. He rejuvenated his profession with victories over Jarrell Miller (TKO 10) and Filip Hrgovic (TKO 8). His victory over Hrgovic gave him the IBF interim title, which had subsequently been upgraded to “full” titlist.

Nonetheless, he and Anthony Joshua wanted one another. They had been two broken boxing souls bonded by a standard thread—they every misplaced to undefeated Ring and heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk. Each needed to reclaim their standings within the heavyweight division, each wanted redemption in a wierd means towards one another.

Dubois acquired it Saturday evening in a surprising fifth-round knockout over Joshua as a part of Riyadh Season: Wembley Version earlier than a report 96,000 at Wembley Stadium, in London, England, retaining the IBF heavyweight title Usyk vacated for his December rematch with Tyson Fury.

The Ring’s No. 6 heavyweight contender, the 27-year-old Dubois (22-2, 21 knockouts) knocked down the 34-year-old Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) within the first, third, fourth and fifth rounds. The tip formally got here at :59 of the fifth, after Dubois caught Joshua on the jaw with a counter proper.

“I solely have a number of issues to say, ‘Are you not entertained!’” Dubois screamed to the energetic crowd. “It’s been a protracted journey. I’m grateful to be on this place. I’m a gladiator, and I’m a warrior that fights to the bitter finish. Behind the scenes, the work with my dad and a powerful crew helped me get by this. I’ve been on a curler coaster and that is my redemption story.”

Dubois related on 91 of 230 punches (46%) with 27 high-impact connects, to Joshua’s 60 of 139 (48%), and 16 high-impact punches.

“Credit score to (Dubois) and his crew,” Joshua stated. “We rolled the cube for fulfillment and we got here up quick. You understand I’m pissed. You understand I need to kick up within the ring. We maintain rolling the cube. I had a pointy opponent, a quick opponent, however loads of errors on my finish. That’s the sport, as pissed off as I’m.”

Daniel Dubois catches Anthony Joshua within the 1st spherical. From there, Joshua by no means had an opportunity towards Dubois. (Image By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing).

On the outset, Dubois attacked Joshua within the opening minute. Dubois, carrying black, entered the ring very composed, virtually seemingly too relaxed. In distinction, Joshua, in white trunks, appeared tight throughout his ring stroll.

Dubois, weighing a career-high 248.6 kilos, put Joshua down with an enormous, overhand proper to the chin within the final 5 seconds of the primary. That got here after Joshua missed Dubois with an overhand proper.

Not desirous to lose any momentum, Dubois got here proper out at Joshua within the opening moments of the second spherical. Dubois appeared like he had Joshua in hassle once more, although by the center of the spherical, Joshua appeared to stabilize himself. Joshua survived the spherical, regardless of being clubbed behind the pinnacle with a Dubois proper.

Initially of the third, Dubois surprised Joshua with a fast mixture. He had Joshua backing up and nonetheless seeking to get his legs below him. Within the last minute of the spherical, Dubois despatched Joshua down a second time. Dubois buckled Joshua with a left to the chin, however referee Marcus McDonnell did a really poor job in permitting the battle to proceed then, placing Joshua at larger danger to extra punishment.

Dubois despatched Joshua, clearly in a diminished state, down a 3rd time at the beginning of the fourth, although it appeared extra like a slip than a knockdown brought on by a punch.

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Joshua was all over. Dubois appeared drained, however Joshua appeared out on his toes. With 1:29 left within the spherical, Dubois piled a proper into Joshua, which had him falling backward into the ropes. Joshua didn’t seem to have a lot left on the shut of the fourth.

When Joshua appeared like he was coming again within the fifth, Dubois caught Joshua with a counter proper to the chin with 2:11 left within the spherical. Joshua fell for a fourth time in a heap within the nook. This time, McDonnell made the correct name and waved it over at :59.

You must marvel about Joshua’s future. He was presupposed to devour Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019 and was knocked out within the seventh spherical, dropping the IBF and WBO belts. He misplaced the identical belts to Usyk in 2021 and misplaced to Usyk within the rematch in 2022.

He’s on his third coach after splitting with Robert McCracken after his first loss to Usyk in September 2021, going by Derrick James and Robert Garcia earlier than deciding on his present coach, Ben Davison.

“AJ stored combating, he by no means gave up and he by no means stopped attempting to rise up when he couldn’t rise up,” stated Matchroom Promotions chairman Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter. “Huge, huge congratulations to Daniel Dubois. I’m certain AJ will train the rematch clause. Daniel Dubois deserves all of the credit score.”

For as a lot blown alternatives Joshua had, Dubois is on the alternative finish. Dubois appeared like he knocked down Usyk within the fifth spherical of their August 2023 battle, which was dominated a low blow, although some thought was a controversial name. Usyk went on to beat Dubois by stopping him within the ninth.

When requested who he wish to battle subsequent, Dubois stated Usyk. He must watch for that probability.

Within the interim, nobody will label him “a quitter” once more.

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America.Observe @JSantoliquito [twitter.com]