Anthony Joshua beaten by Daniel Dubois for IBF heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium | UK news

Anthony Joshua missed the chance to become a three-time heavyweight world champion after being stopped in the fifth round by his British rival Daniel Dubois.

Dubois, 27, knocked Joshua down late in the opening round with an overhand right punch to the 34-year-old's chin.

The IBF heavyweight champion then knocked Joshua down at the end of the third round and twice in the fourth round.

A right hook ended the fight with a knockout and Dubois was able to defend his title for the first time.

The fighters fought against each other in front of a record crowd of 96,000 fans at London's Wembley Stadium.

“We didn’t make it”

Minutes after defending his IBF title, Dubois shouted to the crowd, “Aren't you entertained?” and then said, “I'm a gladiator, you know that?”

“I'm just a warrior to the bitter end. I'm just ready to go. I want to get to the top of this game and reach my potential. God bless you all.”

Joshua said the defeat would not stop him from rebuilding, although he admitted that “we couldn't keep up.”

“They know I'm ready to go in the ring, but I'm going to stay calm, be very professional and show respect to my opponent,” he said.

“I always tell myself that I am a fighter for life… We keep rolling the dice. I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent and a lot of mistakes on my part, but that's the game.”

Hearn: AJ will want a rematch

Promoter Eddie Hearn then said, “It was the first round” in which Joshua lost, “after that he fought with heart and passion”.

Hearn added: “When you're in there with a massive puncher, that's what can happen. He never stopped getting up, even when he couldn't get up.”

“Daniel deserves recognition, he is a real world champion. Congratulations to him… I am sure [Joshua will] to use the rematch clause is a given. It's a dangerous fight because his confidence is constantly growing, but he will believe he can beat him.”

British champion Dubois, who had never fought at Wembley before tonight, was elevated to IBF title holder after Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the belt.

Although Joshua was at his rival's career highest weight before the fight, he was four pounds heavier than Dubois.

Among the spectators was Tyson Fury, the former WBC heavyweight world champion, who sat ringside in the arena.

Fury is scheduled to fight for the other three titles in a rematch against Usyk on December 21.