Anthony Joshua suffers a fourth defeat, so what’s next?
Underdog Daniel Dubois cemented his status as the IBF World heavyweight champion with an emphatic fifth-round KO of favourite Anthony Joshua in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, September 21.
After Joshua’s fourth career defeat and second time failing to win back his belts, questions are inevitably asked as to what the former two-time unified world champion should do next.
Reactions
Tyson Fury: “Listen, that’s cost me £150 million. Turki, you better pay me now!
“Fantastic job, he did a very good job and fair play to young Dan. Everybody wrote him off, you know. Comin here, he was the world champion and everyone chatted like he was a bum. And he showed what he’s made of and it’s very good for him, fantastic, fair play.
“Listen, it’s heavyweight boxing, it happens, doesn’t it? And, to me, it can happen to anybody.”
Conor McGregor: “AJ is number one, this is his eighth stadium party. He’s a legend forever. For sure, there is [a way back]. He smacked him back, he stood his ground and smacked him back, and then he went forward and got caught. It’s only boxing. You get caught, of course he can come back, for sure.”
Eddie Hearn: “I am sure he’ll exercise that rematch clause. I think that’s a given. But he’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight. This guy [Dubois] is growing in confidence all the time, but 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 tonight, it was a great performance from Daniel.”
Charlie Rumbol: “Anthony Joshua has done a great job in the pro game – two world titles as a heavyweight. He’s done what people can only dream of, but now I think he should hang up his gloves before he gets hurt and enjoy his life.”
Tim Rickson: “AJ was very limited, with his chin high in the air, his left hand down low, and very poor reactions. He got caught so easily, he just couldn’t get out of the way of shots that travelled a long way when he had ample to time to react. Even that knockout punch, he stood there static, winding up those three right hands, predictable and open.
“However, there’s still fights out there for him. When you’re at that top level, it only takes one win to get back to the biggest fights in the world. If they trigger the rematch, then he can only go in with a better performance and make it more competitive, which is what he has done in every return fight – Ruiz and Usyk. His second shot was better than the firsts.
“There’s still the Deontay Wilder fight that would do big numbers, I’d expect. He could try and chase that elusive Tyson Fury fight, that everyone will still want to see, but will be further down the pecking order now.
“Perhaps Joshua could even fight an up-and-coming prospect, like Johnny Fisher, although could be too big a step downwards. There’s always options for him. The trilogy with Ruiz, or even the fight with Jarrell Miller that was cancelled all those years ago. Joshua has been great for the sport, so I’d personally to be interested to see him continue, if his heart is still in it. Any time Joshua fights, it’s a big, big deal, so it would benefit us all to see him continue.”
Reactions on X:
“Maybe it’s the time to close”
“That was unbelievable from Dubois.”
“Joshua was on life support, Dubois has insane power.”
“All that confidence from AJ just to get outclassed. Time to hang up the gloves.”
“Underestimating your opponent while still engaging in the fight is a recipe for defeat and embarrassment.”
“Please stop, brain damage awaiting you.”
“AJ is a poser, should stick to modelling. He’s not a boxer.”
“How did he not see that haymaker coming?”
“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, the brain damage caused from this sport for our entertainment… Everyone should get respect.”
Never throw the same punch three times in a row.”