Anthony Joshua showed courage and determination to fight Daniel Dubois all the way to the fifth round, and his belief that he could come back and win the fight was evident right up until the final moment he was put on the mat.

Joshua’s plan went to waste when he was floored by a powerful right hook from Dubois in the first round. According to his promoter, Eddie Hearn, from that point on he fought with “heart” and showed it in spades.

Further knockdowns followed in the third and fourth rounds, and it took Dubois quite a while to finish the job against the resilient AJ.

The knockout blow came in the fifth round, and boxing fans around the world and the 96,000 spectators at Wembley were stunned by the blow that sent Joshua crashing to the ground with greater force than ever before.

Crowd footage circulating on social media show the moments leading up to Dubois’ devastating right hook from a fresh angle. And 16 seconds before it landed, with his back against the wall, Joshua showed off by glaring and sticking his tongue out at a spectator.

The 34-year-old initially showed off his confidence by landing a precise right punch on Dubois. But when he moved in, the fight was over for good.

Sensing an opportunity and moving forward, AJ landed a hook, but before it could land, Dubois’ tiny, pointed punch connected right to the chin. The 27-year-old defended his IBF heavyweight title, although he may have to fight Joshua again to retain it.

“I think he’ll exercise that rematch clause, I think that’s for sure,” Hearn told Matchroom shortly after. “He’ll need some rest, it’s a unsafe fight, he’s just gaining confidence all the time.

“He’ll believe he can hurt Dubois, he’ll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit, it was a great performance.”

Hearn continued at the post-fight press conference: “I think 2025 is going to be an fascinating year for Anthony Joshua, one way or another, but he’s definitely going to come back and whether it’s a fight with Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, whoever, you’re going to have a good time.”

Tyson Fury was sitting ringside at Wembley Stadium as Daniel Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their IBF heavyweight title fight – and got the result he wanted.

Dubois (22-2) entered the fight as the champion but was still considered an underdog, knocking down Joshua (28-4) four times in the first four rounds before ending the fight less than a minute into the fifth.

Fury I felt the fight would end in a knockout, and he got his wish when he saw the result as a fan at ringside. Before the fight he said, “I think it’s a tough fight for both guys, they’re going to be hitting each other and it could go either way.

Although Fury was unsure who would win the fight, he predicted excitement: “It’s not a foregone conclusion[of who will win; they’re both heavy punchers and could knock each other out][ktowygra;obajsąmocnymipięściarzamiimoglibysięnawzajemznokautować[ofwhowillwin;they’rebothheavypunchersandcouldknockeachotherout

“I can’t wait for the fight. The real winners are the ones who come and watch people beat each other up.

“I’m going as a fan and I don’t have any percentages for either one; whoever wins, wins. I’m sure it’ll be an thrilling fight as long as it lasts, if there’s not a knockout either way I’ll be disappointed.”

“Opportunity can come to Daniel, you don’t know what role the crowd can play in the fight, but in my experience in a boxing fight you’re there and it’s a fight, and it’s like Donkey Kong.”

Fury is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk on December 21, 2024 in a rematch of their May fight. Usyk handed Fury his first defeat as a professional boxer, becoming the sport’s first undisputed champion since 1999.

If Usyk were to win, Dubois could challenge him to a fight in 2025 to settle the undisputed heavyweight title once and for all. However, the Ukrainian defeated Dubois last year, albeit after controversy after Dubois’ body blow that floored Usyk was ruled a low blow.

“I’m fighting for all the glory, for me I’m a hunter and I have to hunt,” Dubois said after defeating Joshua. “It’s been a journey and I’m grateful to be in this position. I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior until the bitter end. I want to reach the pinnacle of this sport and reach my full potential.”

When asked who he would like to fight next, Dubois replied: “All the best, maybe Usyk, that’s a huge chance for me to redeem myself, but anyone can do it.”

Joshua, although he needs time to recover, seems ready to return to the ring against Dubois, as Hearn explained: “But he’ll need rest, and it’s a perilous fight. This guy [Dubois] is gaining confidence, but believes that he can hurt Dubois.

“He’ll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit tonight, it was a great performance from Daniel.”

Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren has his eye on a fight with Oleksandr Usyk after the Tyson Fury rematch. Warren said, recognizing the threat Usyk poses: “Oleksandr Usyk is considered the best heavyweight in the world right now and he gave him his toughest fight at the time, there’s no doubt about that.”

Warren added with hope for future fights: “He hurt himself [during their first fight in 2023]I would like to see him fight him now – but of course he has to fight Tyson [Fury] first and I think Tyson will take his skin.

“Everybody here saw the champion perform tonight. Two great fighters in the ring and the champion perform. And I think he did everything that was asked of him.”

“He showed his courage, he showed his skills, his resilience. AJ caught him with a shot there and I was worried about that. But he caught him with a counter and that’s what happened. What a great, great fight by both guys.”

And who does Dubois like? “Maybe Usyk, gigantic chance for my redemption. Anyone… anyone can do it,” he declared, “I just went on a rollercoaster ride. This is my time, this is my redemption story and I won’t stop until I reach my full potential.”

Reflecting on the fourth defeat of his professional career, Joshua was asked what went wrong. “The opponent,” admitted the two-time former world champion, “credit to him and his team, we took a chance and it didn’t work out.”

“But I want to say to everyone at Wembley, I appreciate you coming out tonight. You know I’m f**ked up, you know I’m ready to go in the ring, but I’m going to stay composed, I’m going to be very professional and I’m going to show respect to my opponent.”