Daniel Dubois knocks out Anthony Joshua to claim a surprise victory and remain IBF heavyweight champion

CNN
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In a big surprise, Anthony Joshua missed the chance to become a three-time heavyweight world champion on Saturday night as he was knocked out in the fifth round by his British rival Daniel Dubois.

After dominating the first four rounds, Dubois completed the defense of his IBF heavyweight belt with a devastating overhand right punch to Joshua's chin 59 seconds into the fifth round in front of a record crowd of 96,000 at Wembley Stadium in London.

The result is a big surprise as Joshua came into the fight in good form, having won his last four fights, including in March when he defeated Francis Ngannou by a spectacular second-round knockout.

He had originally expected to finish Saturday as heavyweight champion of the world – which would have put him in perfect position to face the winner of the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk rematch in December and potentially become the undisputed champion of his division – but now Joshua is suddenly trying to get back on his feet.

The 34-year-old, who has now been defeated four times in 32 fights, has a rematch clause that his promoter Eddie Hearn expects him to invoke, and there is also the possibility of him facing the loser of Fury and Usyk.

“All the best to him and his team. We bet on success, but it didn't work out,” Joshua said after the fight. “We're still making up for it. I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent and a lot of mistakes on my part, but that's the game.”

Joshua was immediately on the defensive at the start of the fight and was knocked to the ground in the first round by a right punch to the chin.

Dubois continued his assault in the second and third rounds. In the third round, he caught his opponent with a huge left hook that left Joshua on the ropes, and then began another series of punches that sent Joshua to the ground for a second time.

The favorite was saved until the end, but went down again in the fourth round after another left hook from Dubois.

In the fifth fight, Joshua began an improbable comeback as Dubois began to tire. But it didn't last long as Dubois knocked his opponent down one last time. Despite Joshua's attempts to get back up, the fight was over.

This is undoubtedly the biggest moment of Dubois' career so far and the 27-year-old now has the chance to fight for the undisputed heavyweight world title following the rematch between Fury and Usyk in December.

“I only have a few words left: 'Aren't you entertained?'” he said afterwards.

“I am a gladiator, I am a warrior to the bitter end. I want to reach the highest 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 will not stop until I reach my full potential.”