Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has congratulated Daniel Dubois despite his shocking defeat in London on Saturday.
Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion and return to the division’s top table ended dramatically and unexpectedly, with Dubois dropping him several times at Wembley Stadium before landing the final blow, a crunching right hand, in Round 5, which sent his English rival to the canvas for his fourth career loss, while Dubois retained his IBF title.
Joshua appeared at the post-fight press conference and insisted on continuing to box as he prepares for another fight.
“Probably you’re asking, ‘Do I still want to continue fighting?’ Of course, I want to continue fighting,” Joshua said per ESPN.
“That’s what I said: we took a shot at success, and we came up short. What does that mean now? We going to run away? Or are we going to live to fight another day?”
The British-Nigerian boxer fell to the ground for the first time at the end of Round 1 after Dubois delivered a powerful left punch on the 34-year-old, startling the Wembley audience.
Joshua praised his opponent for his amazing performance.
“We have to give credit to our opponent as well, Daniel. Well done to him and his team, and also thank you to my team for the way they prepared for me. There were a few mistakes in there, but that’s the name of the game. Fine margins can cost you at the top level,” he said.
Hearn stated in the ring that a rematch clause was likely to be exercised, but added in the post-fight press conference that Joshua had agreed to fight on another Riyadh Season card and would most likely desire a rematch.
Hearn stated that Joshua would like to complete his career with significant fights and that a tune-up bout would be unlikely.
“We have another fight with Riyadh Season, and Turki Alalshikh and Daniel Dubois are part of that plan, but so too could be Tyson Fury or another heavyweight,” Hearn said. “I don’t see it being a fight that ends his career, but he’s in the final chapters of the career, and that was a big blow because we fancied winning tonight and fighting the winner of Fury and [Oleksandr] Usyk.
“I just know he’s going to want a big fight; I don’t believe he’ll want to come back in February or March for a runout, Helenius or Franklin, or these kinds of fights. I feel like we’ve done that, and the next decision will be very important.”
