Anthony Joshua Promises to Bounce Back Following Loss to Dubois

Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has affirmed his commitment to continue boxing, despite suffering a surprising defeat to Daniel Dubois in London last Saturday.

Joshua’s ambition to become a three-time heavyweight champion came to a sudden halt at Wembley Stadium, where Dubois knocked him down multiple times before delivering a decisive right hand in the fifth round. This punch marked Joshua’s fourth career loss, while Dubois retained his IBF title.

At the post-fight press conference, Joshua confirmed he’s not stepping away from the sport and is already looking forward to his next bout.

Addressing the media, Joshua stated, “You might be wondering if I still want to fight. Absolutely, I do. We aimed for success and fell short, but that doesn’t mean we give up. We live to fight another day.”

The British-Nigerian fighter was first floored at the end of Round 1 by a powerful left jab from Dubois, stunning the crowd. Joshua commended Dubois for his performance and acknowledged the tough competition.

“Credit where it’s due—Daniel fought well. Congratulations to him and his team. I also want to thank my team for their preparation. There were a few mistakes, but that’s part of the game,” Joshua said, adding that at the elite level, even small errors can be costly.

Promoter Eddie Hearn, speaking after the fight, hinted at a possible rematch, noting that Joshua’s agreement with Riyadh Season likely includes another big fight, potentially with Tyson Fury or another top heavyweight.

“We have plans for another fight during Riyadh Season, which could include Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, or someone else. This loss isn’t the end of Joshua’s career, but he’s in the final stages. A rematch or another significant bout will be important,” Hearn said, emphasizing that Joshua is looking for major fights, not tune-ups.

Hearn added, “Joshua wants to finish his career with big matches. I don’t think we’ll see him return for a warm-up fight. The next decision will be crucial for his career.”