It wasn’t a fairy-tale ending for British heavyweight Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Nonetheless, regardless of the result, he would not plan to hold up the gloves anytime quickly.
On Saturday, in entrance of a UK boxing record 96,000 fans, many from his house nation, Joshua’s try at reclaiming the IBF heavyweight title got here up brief in the principle occasion of the Riyadh Season card. Champion and fellow Brit Daniel Dubois retained the title, delivering a right-handed knockout within the fifth spherical.
For Dubois, the fourth time was the allure, having scored knockdowns within the first, third and fourth rounds. Earlier than the fifth-round KO, Joshua was capable of reply, however his total shakiness all through led to hypothesis that Saturday’s struggle might be his final.
On the floor, it appeared logical for Joshua, who turns 35 on Oct. 15. He sounded upbeat following his thirty third profession bout, although, shortly dismissing any speak of retirement.
“You are in all probability asking if I nonetheless wish to proceed preventing,” Joshua told reporters via Queensberry Promotions. “In fact, I wish to proceed preventing. That is what I’m. I am a warrior.”
Joshua had received 4 consecutive fights since dropping the WBA (IBF, WBO, IBO) crown to Oleksandrander Usyk in August 2022. After Saturday’s loss, he gave Dubois his flowers.
“Once I join opponents, I do not actually like them anymore,” Joshua mentioned. “However now it is finished, I take my hat off to him and his workforce.”
It is the third straight victory for Dubois and his first protection of the IBF championship since successful the then-vacated title over Filip Hrgovic by TKO on June 1. The 27-year-old was understandably excited after the victory on Saturday, believing this to be solely the beginning of his breakout.
“I am simply able to go,” Dubois mentioned. “I simply wish to go to the highest and attain my full potential.”