Honestly, it’s been a while since a single right hand changed the trajectory of the heavyweight division so violently. Remember September 2024? 96,000 people at Wembley, the Liam Gallagher performance, the electric tension—it felt like a coronation for AJ’s comeback. Instead, we got a demolition.
Daniel Dubois didn't just win; he dismantled a legend.
He came out like a man possessed. You’ve probably seen the highlights a thousand times. That first knockdown in the opening round was the "oh no" moment for Joshua fans. It wasn't just a flash knockdown; it was a statement of intent. AJ never really recovered his legs. He spent the next three rounds looking like he was walking on a moving boat.
The Night Everything Changed for AJ
People talk about the "trap" AJ tried to set in the fifth. He actually caught Dubois. For a split second, the old Anthony Joshua was back. He landed a stinging right hand that buckled Dubois' knees. The crowd roared. Joshua, smelling blood, "rolled the dice" just like Ben Davison told him to.
Then came the counter.
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A short, brutal right hand from Dubois landed right on the button. AJ went down face-first. It was over. No count needed, really. It’s the kind of loss that sits in your stomach.
Fast forward to now, early 2026, and the landscape is unrecognizable. We spent most of 2025 waiting for the rematch. First, it was the "niggles" and elbow surgery that pushed it back. Then, the IBF mandatories got in the way. Dubois had to move on, defending his belt against the likes of Martin Bakole and nearly Joseph Parker before that weird illness cancellation in Riyadh.
The Rematch That Never Was
Why didn't they fight again? It’s the question everyone asks at the pub. Basically, the timing was a mess. Dubois was on a tear, wanting to stay active in February 2025. Eddie Hearn knew AJ needed more time to clear the cobwebs.
Then came the turn of the year.
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The news of AJ’s car accident in Nigeria this past December changed everything. Losing Sina Ghami and Latz Ayodele—his inner circle—was a blow no training camp can fix. When you hear his family members talking to the press about him retiring while "the ovation is highest," it hits differently. He’d just come off a knockout win over Jake Paul in December, a fight that was supposed to be the springboard back to the elite.
But boxing is secondary now.
What Most People Get Wrong About Dubois
A lot of casual fans still think Dubois "got lucky" or caught AJ cold. That’s just not true. Look at the punch stats. Dubois landed 79 punches to AJ’s 32. He out-jabbed a guy who’s supposed to have one of the best jabs in the business.
Don Charles deserves a massive amount of credit here. He saw the technical flaw: AJ’s habit of dropping his left hand when he throws the right. He drilled Dubois to wait for that specific window.
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- The Power Gap: Everyone knew Dubois hit hard, but we didn't know he could take AJ’s best shot and fire back immediately.
- The Mental Shift: Dubois went from "quitter" (after the Usyk and Joyce fights) to "King Slayer" in 25 minutes.
- The Legacy: This fight effectively ended the "Big Three" era (Fury, AJ, Wilder) and ushered in the new guard.
Why the Fight Still Matters Today
Even if we never see a rematch, Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois remains a case study in heavyweight volatility. It proved that in this weight class, your past achievements don't give you a chin. It also showed that Daniel Dubois is a legitimate, terrifying force when he’s confident.
If you’re still holding out hope for a 2026 showdown, it’s time to be realistic. AJ is dealing with a tragedy that makes a 12-round fight look like a walk in the park.
What you should do next:
- Watch the Round 5 breakdown: Go back and look at the footwork. Notice how AJ’s weight was completely on his front foot when he threw that final, fatal uppercut. It’s a masterclass in why balance is everything.
- Keep an eye on Martin Bakole: With AJ likely sidelined or retired, Bakole is the man many believe is the "boogeyman" Dubois has to hurdle next to unify the belts.
- Respect the transition: We are watching the end of an era. Appreciate what Joshua did for British boxing, but acknowledge that the throne now belongs to the younger, hungrier lion from Greenwich.
The heavyweight division doesn't wait for anyone. It certainly didn't wait for Anthony Joshua on that September night at Wembley.