- Daniel Dubois defeated Anthony Joshua with a stunning knockout on Saturday
- The advice offered to AJ ahead of the decisive fifth round proved very costly
- British boxing coach Shane McGuigan predicted the knockout ahead of time
Anthony Joshua was left to rue the advice from his corner after Daniel Dubois’ stunning knockout victory at Wembley on Saturday night.
The two British rivals finally met inside the ring to battle it out for the heavyweight title inside of a packed-out Wembley stadium and, to the surprise of many, it was Dubois who emerged victorious.
‘Dynamite’ Dubois showcased his immense power as he scored a knock down in the opening round, dominating ‘AJ’ throughout the fight as the 34-year-old fell to the canvas multiple times.
Joshua seemed to gain some momentum in the fifth round, catching Dubois with his heaviest blow on the night, and charged forward in a bid to seize control of the contest.
But the IBF heavyweight champion delivered a brilliant counter right-hook to send rival brutally to the canvas, ultimately winning by knockout in front of a stunned Wembley arena.
Anthony Joshua’s corner (above) offered what proved to be catastrophic advice before the Brit was knocked out during Daniel Dubois’ sensational triumph at Wembley on Saturday night
Joshua suffered a stunning defeat as Dubois knocked him out inside five rounds at Wembley
‘AJ’ was sent crashing to the canvas after the superb counter-punch from rival Dubois
Ahead of the fifth round, AJ’s corner offered what proved to be catastrophic advice.
They told Joshua to ‘roll the dice’ by baiting Dubois into ‘doubling down’ before going for a killer blow, which ultimately led to his demise.
After hearing the advice offered by Joshua’s corner while on commentary duty, British boxing coach Shane McGuigan told 5 Live Sport: ‘I think that’s dangerous advice there to be honest.
‘Getting him to bring it up there off the double jab, Daniel will go for that right-hand straight off that double jab.
‘By bringing it up he means an uppercut, he’s going to walk himself straight on to his right hand. If you ask me, I’d say keep your hands up tight, get through these next two rounds. And then use your athleticism down the stretch.’
McGuigan’s prediction was perfectly realised in the moments that followed, as AJ crashed to the canvas following a superb counter-punch from his rival.
Joshua attempted to get back to his feet for the fourth time in the fight but stumbled over and gave the referee a simple decision to call off the bout.
The victor watched on as Joshua struggled to get back to his feet and the bout was waved off
Dubois vowed he has not even reached his ‘full potential’ despite the dominant performance
Speaking inside the ring after the bout, Dubois insisted that he’s not even reached his ‘full potential’.
‘I’ve only got a few things to say: are you not entertained?!,’ he declared.
‘It’s been a journey and I’m grateful to be in this position. I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior until the bitter end.
‘I want to get to the top of this sport and reach my full potential.
‘Behind the scenes, the work with my dad. I’ve been on a rollercoaster run, this is my time, this is my redemption story. I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.’
Meanwhile, after the fight, Joshua remained humble in defeat and admitted he ‘came up short’ on the night – as he suffered the fourth loss of his professional career.
Joshua said: ‘Credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice of success, but we came up short.
‘You know I’m ready to kick off in the ring, but I’m going to keep my cool, keep very professional, and give respect to my opponent.
Joshua was humble in defeat and admitted he paid the price for ‘rolling the dice’ at Wembley
‘I’m always saying to myself I’m a fighter for life… We keep rolling the dice.
‘I had a sharp opponent, a fast opponent and a lot of mistakes from my end, but that’s the game.’
