The British-Nigerian boxer was knocked out in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium, in front of 96,000 spectators, by his 27-year-old domestic rival. Dubois retained his IBF heavyweight title after knocking Joshua down four times during the fight.
In line with regulations, the British Boxing Board of Control has enforced a 28-day suspension for Joshua, preventing him from returning to the ring during this period. The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports notes that issuing medical suspensions after knockout defeats is standard practice.
The brief ban is unlikely to affect Joshua’s plans, as he has yet to confirm his next opponent.
Despite the loss, Joshua has expressed his determination to continue fighting, saying: “You’re probably asking, ‘Do I want to continue fighting?’ Of course, I want to continue fighting. We took a shot at success and came up short, but I’m a warrior, and I’ll live to fight another day.”
Joshua also commended Dubois, stating, “We have to give credit to my opponent Daniel. I usually don’t think highly of my opponents before a fight, but now that it’s over, I take my hat off to him and his team.”
Initially, promoter Eddie Hearn suggested Joshua had a rematch clause for another bout with Dubois.
However, Hearn later clarified that no such clause exists, though Joshua still has one fight left on his contract as part of ‘Riyadh Season,’ which could involve a rematch with Dubois.
Hearn has also indicated that Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and a rematch with Dubois are being considered for Joshua’s next opponent.
