In a surprising turn of events, Anthony Joshua finds himself sidelined from the boxing ring after a tough defeat to Daniel Dubois last week.
The Watford native suffered a knockout in the fifth round during their match at Wembley, where an impressive crowd of 96,000 fans witnessed the bout.
Dubois, just 27 years old, not only retained his IBF heavyweight title but also showcased his skills by knocking Joshua down four times throughout the fight.
Medical Suspension Protocol
Following the brutal loss, the British Board of Control has mandated that Joshua must take a break from the ring for 28 days.
This is a standard protocol in boxing; the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports requires fighters to receive medical suspensions after suffering knockouts or technical knockouts.
While this brief hiatus might seem daunting, it likely won’t affect Joshua much, as he hasn’t yet named his next opponent and has expressed his determination to continue fighting.
Joshua’s Determination to Keep Fighting
After the fight, Joshua addressed his fans and the media, emphasizing his desire to keep pursuing his boxing career.
“You might be wondering, ‘Do I want to continue fighting?’ Absolutely! I’m committed to this,” he stated.
Reflecting on his recent loss, he remarked, “We took a shot at success and came up short.
But does that mean we run away? No, I’m a warrior, and I’ll fight another day.”
He also gave credit to Dubois, acknowledging his opponent’s skills.
“I don’t usually think highly of my opponents when preparing for a fight, but now that it’s over, I take my hat off to Daniel and his team for their performance.”
Future Rematch Considerations
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, initially mentioned that there was a rematch clause for Joshua to fight Dubois again during an in-ring interview.
However, he later clarified that no such clause exists. Instead, Joshua has one fight left in his contract tied to the ‘Riyadh Season,’ which could potentially be against Dubois.
In a recent chat with iFLTV, Hearn noted that several big names are on the table for Joshua’s next match, including Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and possibly a rematch with Dubois.
Given the lopsided nature of Joshua’s defeat, he might choose to pursue a fight with Fury, who is preparing for a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk in December.
Potential Future Fights
Should Fury win his upcoming fight with Usyk, he might consider a voluntary defense against Joshua, setting the stage for a long-anticipated clash between these domestic rivals.
Conversely, if Fury loses to Usyk, both he and Joshua could find themselves outside the title picture, making a fight between them a more attractive option.
Another intriguing prospect is a matchup with Deontay Wilder.
The former WBC champion, who held his title from 2015 to 2020, has long been on the radar for a bout against Joshua.
Despite losing his last two fights, Wilder is contemplating a comeback, and a fight with Joshua could be a significant opportunity for both fighters.
The stakes would be high: the victor could aim for a shot at the championship, while the loser might be looking to retire from the sport.
What’s Next for Joshua?
As Joshua ponders his next steps, fans are left wondering what direction his career will take.
Will he aim for a rematch with Dubois, challenge Fury, or perhaps go head-to-head with Wilder?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Joshua remains determined to make his mark in the boxing world once again.