There’s a buzz circulating online as fans believe they’ve uncovered the true attendance numbers for the recent heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
On September 21st, Dubois stunned audiences by knocking out Joshua in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium, marking a significant moment in the boxing world.
Initially, reports suggested that the fight attracted an astonishing crowd of around 96,000, which would have set records for both Wembley and post-war Europe for a boxing event.
Discrepancy in Attendance Reports
However, a user on X (formerly Twitter) revealed information from Brent Borough Council indicating that the official attendance was actually 85,466.
This figure raises questions since it only reflects those who passed through the turnstiles, leaving out VIP attendees and box patrons, which could further inflate the number.
This official count falls significantly short of the previously touted 96,000, raising eyebrows about the accuracy of those claims.
Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh had touted the fight as the most-attended event at Wembley, and Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, echoed this assertion.
After the fight, Alalshikh took to X to declare, “It’s happening today at Wembley Stadium in front of 96,000 fans. An unexpected end with a knockout…”
During a press conference, Hearn reiterated the supposed record attendance, stating, “It’s the record; it’s 96,000, I think, at a time that British boxing needs a shot in the arm.”
For context, the previous record was set in 2022 when 94,000 fans watched Tyson Fury defeat Dillian Whyte at the same venue.
Joshua’s Future in the Ring
Following his defeat to Dubois, Joshua faces a 28-day ban from boxing, which prohibits him from stepping back into the ring for that period.
Despite this setback, Joshua remains determined to continue his fighting career.
In his own words, he stated, “And you’re probably asking, ‘Do I want to continue fighting?’
Of course I want to continue fighting. That’s why I said we took a shot at success and we came up short.
And what does that mean right now? Are we gonna run away? Are we going live to fight another day? And that’s what I am. A warrior.”
As fans eagerly await what’s next for both fighters, the controversy surrounding attendance figures adds another layer to an already dramatic showdown.
What do you think lies ahead for Joshua and Dubois?
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