Dubois Stuns Joshua to Secure Heavyweight Glory at Wembley
Daniel Dubois finally achieved his long-anticipated crowning moment in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, dismantling Anthony Joshua in just five rounds to retain his IBF heavyweight title. For the 27-year-old fighter from Greenwich, this victory not only silenced his doubters but also marked the passing of the torch to a new generation in the heavyweight division.
Dubois, whose reputation had been questioned by many, delivered a performance of raw power, fearlessness, and determination. For years, he had been labelled a “paper champion” after being upgraded to world champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the IBF belt, but that narrative is now decisively rewritten. As Dubois put it himself, “I was Daniel in the lion’s den. I was unstoppable. I wasn’t going to be denied.”
Dubois Emerges from the Shadows
In the lead-up to the fight, all eyes were on Anthony Joshua, the former two-time world champion who had previously set the heavyweight world alight. Yet, Dubois quietly prepared, showing no signs of intimidation, despite the scale of the event and the stakes at hand. Walking to the ring to boos and leaving it to cheers, the young champion was unfazed by the occasion.
All week, Dubois had been seen as playing second fiddle to Joshua. Even as Liam Gallagher hyped up the Wembley crowd with Oasis classics, the atmosphere seemed tailored for Joshua’s triumph. But Dubois had other ideas. “I always believed in him,” said Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter. That belief was vindicated when Dubois dropped Joshua four times before sealing the victory with a vicious counter right hook, leaving Joshua scrambling on the canvas.
This fight was not just a win but a validation of Dubois’ potential. His journey from being written off after his losses to Joe Joyce and Oleksandr Usyk to a night like this demonstrates his resilience and ability to bounce back in the most spectacular fashion. At 27, the future looks bright for Dubois, with his sights now set on the division’s biggest names.
Joshua’s Struggles Continue
For Anthony Joshua, this loss raises significant questions about his future in the sport. Joshua, now 34, had come into the fight hoping to join the likes of Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis as a three-time heavyweight world champion. But from the first round, it was clear that this was not the same Joshua who had once ruled the division. A knockdown in the opening round left him struggling to recover, and despite his best efforts, Dubois’ relentless pressure proved too much.
After the fight, Joshua was gracious in defeat, saying, “Of course I want to fight again.” But the reality is that this defeat leaves his career at a crossroads. Joshua’s recent string of opponents—James Franklin, Robert Helenius, and Otto Wallin—were far from world-class, and when faced with a younger, more dangerous opponent in Dubois, he was found wanting.
While promoter Eddie Hearn insists that a potential superfight between Joshua and Tyson Fury is still on the cards, its allure has certainly diminished. Joshua remains a massive draw in boxing, but this latest defeat suggests that his best days may well be behind him.
What’s Next for Dubois?
Dubois’ victory propels him into the upper echelons of the heavyweight division, where he could now face the winner of the upcoming Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk rematch. A win against either would complete a remarkable turnaround for Dubois, who just four years ago was being written off after a defeat to Joyce.
His future is now gleaming, and there is a sense that Dubois is ready to take on all comers. Having silenced his critics and proven himself on the grandest stage, he is poised to become a defining figure in the heavyweight landscape. With youth on his side, the possibilities seem endless.
Saudi Influence: A New Era for Boxing?
The fight between Dubois and Joshua took place as part of the Riyadh Season, a major initiative by Saudi Arabia to promote itself as a global hub for sport. The involvement of Saudi Arabia in big-time boxing is now impossible to ignore, and the lavish promotion surrounding the event showcased the Kingdom’s growing influence.
From grand arrivals in Leicester Square to a weigh-in at Trafalgar Square, the scale of the event was unprecedented for British boxing. Even the Saudi national anthem was played before the British anthem at Wembley, highlighting the level of Saudi investment in the sport.
However, this raises questions about the future of boxing. While Saudi Arabia’s involvement has undoubtedly made it possible to stage these massive heavyweight showdowns, it remains to be seen how this will impact the sport in the long term. Will we continue to see major fights take place in Britain, or will the lure of Saudi money see the sport shift towards the Middle East?
As Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk prepare for their rematch in Riyadh, one thing is certain: the heavyweight division is entering a new and exciting era, with Daniel Dubois standing tall as one of its new kings.
