Daniel Dubois knocks out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round to retain the IBF heavyweight title, setting up a future shot against Usyk or Fury.

Daniel Dubois stopped Anthony Joshua in the fifth round on Saturday night to retain his IBF heavyweight title. The knockout win in front of a packed Wembley Stadium crowd marks a major setback for Joshua, who was looking to claim the IBF belt for a third time. Dubois, now 22-2 (21 KOs), knocked Joshua down four times before landing the final blow that ended the fight.

Dubois Dominates Early Rounds

The fight, scheduled for 12 rounds, saw Dubois come out aggressively from the start. In the first round, Dubois landed a clean right hand that dropped Joshua. While Joshua got back up, the early knockdown gave Dubois the upper hand.

By the second round, Dubois had Joshua on the ropes, forcing the former two-time heavyweight champ to hold on to avoid further damage. Joshua managed to land a few shots of his own, but Dubois remained the aggressor.

Joshua Fights Back but Falls Short

Joshua showed brief signs of recovery in the third round, landing a few jabs that fired up the crowd. But it wasn’t enough. Dubois knocked him down again, and despite Joshua getting back to his feet, Dubois had complete control.

In the fourth round, Dubois knocked Joshua down once more, though the referee ruled one fall as a slip. Even so, Joshua was visibly struggling to keep up with Dubois’ pace and power.

Fifth-Round KO Ends Joshua’s Night

In the fifth round, Joshua, knowing he needed something big to turn the tide, connected with a solid punch that seemed to briefly hurt Dubois. But Dubois quickly responded with a powerful right hand that sent Joshua to the canvas for the fourth and final time, securing the KO victory.

With this win, Dubois puts himself in position for a potential showdown with the winner of the December 21 fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

Buatsi Defeats Hutchinson on the Undercard

On the undercard, Joshua Buatsi defeated Willy Hutchinson by split decision to win the vacant WBO interim light heavyweight title. Buatsi (19-0, 13 KOs) was forced to go the distance, marking his fourth consecutive decision victory, while Hutchinson (18-2, 13 KOs) put up a tough fight after previously winning five straight bouts.

Celebrities at Wembley

The event also drew a number of celebrities, including UFC star Conor McGregor, who was spotted with a cigar in hand, and boxers Tyson Fury, Tommy Fury, and Terence Crawford. Tyson Fury, speaking before the fight, predicted a knockout-heavy contest, saying, “I see them going to knock the [#$$*#*] out of each other.”

What’s Next for Dubois and Joshua?

Dubois’ win positions him for a big future fight, likely against the winner of the Usyk-Fury bout later this year. This could be a defining moment in Dubois’ career, as he looks to add more belts to his resume.

Dubois’ win positions him for a big future fight, likely against the winner of the Usyk-Fury bout later this year. This could be a defining moment in Dubois’ career, as he looks to add more belts to his resume.

For Joshua, this loss represents a significant setback. Once at the top of the heavyweight division, he will now need to regroup and figure out his next steps as he falls to 28-4. Whether Joshua will continue chasing titles or look for other high-profile fights remains to be seen.

With Dubois’ dominant performance, the landscape of heavyweight boxing continues to shift. Fans will be watching closely as the next big matchups unfold.