Eddie Hearn anticipates that Anthony Joshua will exercise his rematch clause against Daniel Dubois following a stunning knockout defeat at Wembley Stadium.
In a fierce showdown, Joshua was knocked down multiple times, ultimately succumbing to an explosive right hand in the fifth round. The pivotal moment came shortly after Joshua believed he had gained the upper hand by rocking Dubois, only for Dubois to deliver an emphatic response that sent the former unified world champion crashing to the canvas.
This victory secures Dubois’ status as the IBF world heavyweight champion and marks the pinnacle of his career before a sell-out crowd of 96,000 fans.
“I believe Joshua will definitely activate that rematch clause,” Hearn stated after the fight. “He’ll need some time to recover, and it’s a risky match; Dubois is gaining confidence rapidly.”
Hearn emphasized Joshua’s resilience, noting, “He’ll think he can hurt Dubois and believe he can win. But credit to Daniel Dubois for an exceptional performance.”
Joshua’s troubles began early when he was knocked down in the first round by a powerful overhand right from Dubois, and he struggled to regain his footing throughout the fight amid an electric atmosphere at Wembley.
“It was the first round; after that, he fought with his heart and determination. I’m proud of him for never giving up, even when he faced challenges,” Hearn remarked. “When you’re up against a heavy hitter, such things can occur. He persisted in trying to rise, even when it was hard.”
Hearn continued to praise Dubois, saying, “Daniel deserves accolades; he is a genuine world champion.”
In the aftermath, Joshua acknowledged his execution errors but remained optimistic about his boxing future. “Kudos to Dubois and his team. We took a risk aiming for victory, but it didn’t pan out,” Joshua noted in his post-fight reflection.
“I’m always motivated and committed to the sport… We continue to embrace the journey ahead.”
This defeat raises questions about the potential for a matchup with Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, who are set for a rematch in Saudi Arabia later this year. Meanwhile, Dubois, still at just 27, will likely seek redemption against Usyk after his own previous defeat to the Ukrainian champion.
