Tyson Fury has given his assessment of Daniel Dubois’ performance after the underdog knocked out two-time champion Anthony Joshua in a memorable clash at Wembley.
Dubois came into the fight looking to retain his IBF heavyweight belt but knowing that an excited AJ was looking to join an elite group of boxers, including three-time world champion Muhammad Ali.
The fight, contested in front of a record crowd of 96,000 under the famed arch, lived up to its promise of being a “shootout” in which neither fighter would pay much attention to defending or winning points, instead preparing for a knockout punch.
And it was Dubois who produced an exemplary performance to dominate the two-time champion for four and a half rounds before a dramatic exchange of blows in the fifth saw the underdog land the decisive blow.
After the fight, former champion Fury gave his verdict on the spectacle and slammed critics for “writing Dubois off” in advance.
Tyson Fury has given his assessment of Daniel Dubois’ performance after the underdog knocked out two-time champion Anthony Joshua.
Dubois put in a performance that showed he was grown up, dominating the two-time champion for four and a half rounds.
The fight, which took place in front of a record crowd of 96,000 under the famous arch, lived up to its promise of being a “shootout.”
He said: ‘Fantastic work.
‘He did a very good job and was clean with young Dan.
“Everyone wrote him off, you know? When he came here he was the world champion and everyone talked about him like he was lazy.
“And he showed what he’s made of and that’s very good for him. Fantastic. Fair play.”
Asked about Joshua’s performance, Fury reminded viewers of his loss to Oleksandr Usyk in May in a fight the Gypsy King lost on points after being rocked in the ninth and 11th rounds.
“Listen, this is heavyweight boxing. This happens, right?” he said. “It happened to me and it can happen to anyone.”
After the fight, AJ expressed his frustration at the way the highly-anticipated fight had played out, the outcome of which almost certainly ruled him out of a career-defining all-English showdown with long-time rival Fury.
He said: “The credit goes to (Dubois) and his team. We rolled the dice to succeed, but we didn’t.”
Fury said: ‘He did a very good job and played fair with young Dan’ after Dynamite’s shock win.
On Joshua’s performance he added: “Listen, it’s heavyweight boxing. That happens, doesn’t it?”
Fury pictured with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn (right). Could Dubois’ next opponent be the Gypsy King?
‘You know I’m ready to get in the ring, but I’ll stay calm, be very professional and give my opponent respect.
“I always tell myself that I’m a fighter for life… We keep rolling the dice.
“I had a very strong and fast opponent and I made a lot of mistakes, but that’s the game.”
The fight was fought at a breakneck pace from the start of the first round, with Joshua suffering an onslaught from his young opponent that he will not soon forget.
An opening flurry of jabs was followed by a big right hand that rocked Joshua at the end of the round, leaving the former champion crouched.
Miraculously, Joshua made the count with the bell ringing immediately afterward to conclude an impressive opening salvo.
The second three-minute set followed a similar pattern. A good punch early in the round staggered AJ, but the 34-year-old managed to balance himself using the ropes and his opponent’s body.
He was only setting himself up for more punishment, with Dubois landing another good left hand midway through the second round.
The fight, which took place in front of a record crowd of 96,000 under the famous arch, lived up to its promise of being a “shootout” with Joshua knocked down numerous times.
Miraculously, Joshua made the count with the bell ringing immediately afterward to conclude an impressive opening salvo.
Dubois, focused, caught the Watford man with a right-footed shot that sent him staggering backwards.
In the third, Dubois, centred in the box, caught the Watford man with a right-footed shot that sent him reeling back once more, as a stunned Wembley watched in near silence, amazed by Dubois’ clinical display.
Taking constant shots to the body and head, it was a back and forth affair with AJ unable to even offer a jab in response.
At the end of the third round there was more chaos as Dubois landed even more costly punches, and the bell rang before the referee could make his count.
Once he made up his mind, he was convinced that Joshua could continue fighting, but for how much longer?
An enthralling fight threatened to turn into a farce after the former champion stumbled twice at the start of the fourth round, causing confusion at Wembley, with the referee counting the first as a knockdown and then counting out a bewildered Joshua who beat his chest in defiance.
A timeout was then called after Dubois punched slightly low, providing a timely stoppage for a shaken Joshua but infuriating a crowd baying for blood; thousands booed at the stifling decision.
A fired-up Dubois came out and rocked Joshua again. After so much punishment, it was almost impossible to believe the pre-fight favorite was still standing and clutching the title.
Then, the sensational fifth.
Between the pivotal rounds, Joshua could incredibly be heard chatting with trainer Ben Davison in his corner.The key message, expressed almost hypnotically, is: “roll the dice.”
And he rolled the dice.
Joshua’s boxing fundamentals left something to be desired throughout the electrifying fight, but no one could fault his heart.
In the end it was Dubois who came out on top in a fight that lived up to expectations.
The Londoner was able to celebrate with his younger brother after an incredible victory
The determined former champion hit Dubois with a strong right hand to cause serious problems for the young fighter.
When Joshua tasted blood, Dubois delivered the punch of his career with a right hand just a fraction of a second before the two-time champion could land his own decisive blow.
This time Joshua is finally done and, as you might think, so will the fight with Fury.