Dubois beats Joshua by knockout

Daniel Dubois has knocked out Anthony Joshua in five rounds to retain the IBF heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium.

Joshua endured a nightmare as Dubois floored him four times in Rounds 1, 3 and 4 before the savage finish after 59 seconds of Round 5.

Despite being the champion, Dubois pulled off an upset to inflict a fourth professional defeat on Joshua who was denied becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, the biggest postwar crowd for a boxing event in the United Kingdom.

Victory sets up the possibility of Dubois fighting for the undisputed world heavyweight title in 2025, against the winner of the December 21st clash between WBC, WBA and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, who were both ringside.

Usyk stopped Dubois in Round 9 in August last year.

Joshua must now hope for a Dubois rematch, or perhaps a clash versus the loser on December 21 after another serious setback to his career.

While speaking after the win, Dubois says it's been a journey and he is grateful to be in this position.

He says he is a gladiator, a warrior until the bitter end.

Dubois says he wants to get to the top of this sport and reach his full potential.

He adds this is his redemption story and he is not going to stop until he reaches his full potential.

Dubois had earlier said he wanted to use this fight to legitimise his position as the IBF heavyweight champion.

He did not beat a champion to get that belt.

Dubois was handed it and elevated from his position as interim champion after Oleksandr Usyk was forced to vacate.

[Source: BBC Sports/ESPN]