Frank Warren

The much-anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois has stirred up strong reactions within the boxing world. It was a fight that many believed would serve as a test for Joshua, who has been dealing with mounting pressure to restore his dominance in the heavyweight division. From the opening bell, however, it became clear that this was not going to be a typical performance from the former heavyweight champion. Joshua came out looking hesitant, which was an unusual sight for fans who have grown accustomed to his dynamic and confident style. It was almost as if he was second-guessing himself, unable to settle into a rhythm. Normally, Joshua is fluid and powerful, able to control the fight with his jab and powerful combinations, but in this fight, that sharpness was missing. I wonder if the sparring rumours from amateur days made him extra cautious. From the outset, Dubois seemed to sense this hesitation and came in aggressively, determined to impose his own game plan. Dubois, a young, hungry fighter with a point to prove, quickly seized on the opportunity. His jab was quicker, and he applied constant pressure, smothering Joshua and not allowing him the space to execute his usual one-two combinations. It was reminiscent of the way Rafael dos Anjos overwhelmed Anthony Pettis in their UFC title fight—constant pressure, never giving his opponent room to breathe. Dubois had Joshua on the back foot early, forcing him to rely more on instinct rather than the game plan he and his trainer, Ben Davison, had likely devised. It was evident that after Joshua felt Dubois’ power, things quickly spiraled out of his control. He deviated from his strategy, dropping his guard and failing to adjust to the relentless pressure. Dropping one’s hands like that, particularly at the heavyweight level, is more often seen as an amateur mistake than a deliberate tactic, and it cost him dearly. By the time he was dropped in the first round, the damage had likely already been done. The accumulation of blows seemed to have concussed him, leaving him to fight purely on heart and instinct, rather than calculated strategy. For Dubois, this was a career-defining performance. He came in with a perfect game plan and executed it to perfection. The young heavyweight’s jab was crisp, his pressure relentless, and he capitalized on Joshua’s hesitancy from the opening bell. Dubois clearly had the confidence of a fighter on a win streak and adapted to the flow of the fight far better than Joshua, who struggled to find space to work effectively. Joshua, for his part, is a man who has carried the weight of public expectations for years. Since his rise to stardom, he has been seen as the “golden boy” of British boxing—a symbol of pride for the nation. However, as his career has progressed, particularly after losses to Andy Ruiz and Oleksandr Usyk, the pressure has only intensified. Joshua takes these losses personally, and his mental state has often seemed affected by the scrutiny and criticism that comes with being in the public eye. Unlike Tyson Fury, who seems to brush off losses and controversies with ease, Joshua appears to internalize the weight of these defeats. This difference in mindset can be significant in boxing. Fury is known for his resilience, both in the ring and outside of it, caring little about public perception, whereas Joshua’s desire to protect his legacy and meet public expectations may be affecting his ability to perform under pressure. When Joshua wins, he looks unstoppable, but when he faces adversity, he appears to carry the emotional burden of his past defeats into the ring. In the fifth round, Joshua did manage to wobble Dubois with a powerful right hand, but by then, it was too little, too late. A more composed, mentally sharp Joshua may have been able to capitalize on that moment and take his time to set up the knockout. But in this fight, he was operating on instinct, and while the punch landed, it didn’t shift the momentum enough. Dubois, resilient and composed, landed what looked like a downward punch that didn’t seem particularly fast or devastating, but as a big, powerful heavyweight, it was enough to end the fight. This defeat is a hard pill to swallow for Joshua, especially considering that he’s never been knocked out in this manner before. Dubois, young and rapidly improving, simply had the winning formula that night. It’s hard not to draw comparisons between Joshua’s career trajectory and that of Mike Tyson. Just as Tyson’s career took a significant downturn after shocking defeats to the likes of Buster Douglas and Evander Holyfield, Joshua has experienced similarly humbling losses to Andy Ruiz, Usyk, and now Dubois. Both were dominant champions who, once beaten, struggled to reclaim their invincible aura. Looking ahead, this loss doesn’t necessarily diminish Joshua’s standing in the heavyweight division. His willingness to go to war, even when the odds are stacked against him, shows he still has heart and a desire to fight the best. But questions will now swirl around his future. The public has long clamored for a matchup between Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and after both men’s recent defeats, it may be the perfect time for that fight. It wouldn’t necessarily be a title bout, but it would certainly capture the imagination of fans and be a chance for both fighters to prove they still belong at the top of the heavyweight division. For Dubois, his star is clearly rising. A potential matchup with Joseph Parker, another fighter on a resurgence, could be the next logical step. The heavyweight division is in a fascinating place right now, with names like Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole also lurking as dangerous contenders. There’s a lot of uncertainty, but also plenty of exciting matchups to be made. Ultimately, this loss for Joshua is painful, but not career-ending. While his path to undisputed status is now clouded with doubt, his willingness to step into the ring