BoxRec

Anthony Joshua expected to exercise rematch clause against Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua suffered the fourth loss of his 11-year career Saturday night against Daniel Dubois in an all-British battle at London’s Wembley Stadium, as Joshua got dropped four times en route to a fifth-round knockout.

If history is any indication, however, Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) is going to want another crack at the IBF heavyweight beltholder Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) with hopes of exacting revenge, especially since he’s already shut down any talks of retirement.

Following the first loss of his career to Andy Ruiz Jr. in June 2019, Joshua got revenge on Ruiz in December 2019 by scoring a landslide unanimous decision win. After his unanimous decision loss to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua got another chance against the Ukrainian in 2022 but was unsuccessful, this time in a split decision loss.


The 35-year-old Joshua’s career-long promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing alluded that AJ would be keen for another dance with Dubois despite the one-sided demolition.

"I think [Joshua] will exercise that rematch clause, I think that's a given," Hearn said during his post-fight remarks. "He'll need a rest, and it's a dangerous fight. This guy is growing in confidence all the time.

"He'll believe he can hurt Dubois. He'll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois. He deserves all the credit. It was a great performance.

"We have another fight with Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh, [chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia], and Daniel Dubois is part of that plan, but so too could be Tyson Fury or another heavyweight.

"I think that 2025 is going to be an interesting year for Anthony Joshua, one way or another, but he will definitely be back and whether it's against Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, whoever, you're going to be entertained.”


The former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua was dropped in rounds one, three, four and five and never fully recovered from the onslaught from the opening frame.

"It was the first round. After that he was fighting on heart and desire,” said Hearn. “I'm so proud because he never gave up. His legs were deceiving him and he kept on trying.

"When you are in there with a massive puncher, this is what can happen. He never stopped trying to get up, even when he couldn't get up at the end.

"Daniel deserves credit, he's a real world champion. Congratulations to him."

Sorry but not sorry to have to make this thread already ha!

It was already discussed.

Knowing AJ and his team, they ALWAYS take rematch clauses.

Hearn said so too..

I bet this poll will now be the complete opposite as the first fight thread.

I wouldn't pay to see a rematch unless the undercard was outstanding, was too one-sided to justify.

It’s not impossible that Joshua could somehow fair a lot better second time round, but that’s not what my money would be on.

I just don’t think AJ is good enough to prevent Dubois coming at him. It’s questionable whether AJ even has an equaliser in this match up.

Joshua's tactics for next time, with the help of 'Back to basics' Ben, should be hands up at all times, don't panic when someone throws a punch at you, throw combinations, throw counter punches. I have to say I think this loss was the worst AJ has looked both defensively and offensively, arguably ever.

Will it work? Probably not because they'll probably come into the fight as arrogant as they came into the first one.

DDD will be even better in a rematch,much more confident and it will end in 2 or 3 i'd imagine

AJ needs to be on the front foot more, he let Dubois force the pace and press him which just neutralised his own power. Not sure he can outbox Dubois so the only option is to be more aggressive, force him back and try and get to him first

I'd like to see AJ retire. That was a punishing fight and, I suspect a rematch would be over even quicker, probably one or two rounds.

His heart was incredible and to come through those 4 rounds and give himself a chance of winning in the 5th was quite something.

But, I fear he has entered the dangerous territory where he can see the punches but can no longer get out of the way.

Would like to see Dubois vs Bakole, Parker or Zhang.

I think he'd beat Fury as well. That, in theory, should be an easy fight to make as they both share the same promoter. That said, I'd like Fury to retire as well. Ditto Wilder. Their health is there wealth.

I just voted AJ KO because these things aren't impossible by any means, but I think he should retire.

If you'd headlined Wembley x2, MSG, Saudi, been the face of the sport and grossed $1bn dollars...
I don't think I could be arsed with getting back to the top (which would be unlikely anyway) at 34.

I'd pay to see it again but also feel a bit guilty re: AJ's possible brain injuries. Last night was like a car park brawl where the bigger one was confident and drunk, the smaller one sober and used to box.

Kilburn wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 06:49 It’s not impossible that Joshua could somehow fair a lot better second time round, but that’s not what my money would be on.

I just don’t think AJ is good enough to prevent Dubois coming at him. It’s questionable whether AJ even has an equaliser in this match up.

I think the old AJ, pre Ruiz would have done the job, but I don't think that guy exists any more.

Joshua showed he could hurt Dubois for sure, with the first meaningful shot he landed, the problem was, that his follow up left him absolutely wide open.

Joshua should never have allowed Dubois to take ring centre in round 1, or if he did, he should have been moving and throwing proper hard jabs.

Joshua lost the battle of the jabs early on, and never really recovered, Dubois was able to time his own jab, and counter again and again, and Joshua stood right there with his hands really low. If you're going to carry your hands like that, you need to throw enough shots of your own, to prevent your opponent going on the offensive, and even then, it's risky.

Could Joshua win - yes, of course, but he would have to fight very different tactics to what he did last night.
Will he win - I don't think so, but this is boxing, any we've seen bigger shocks than a reveral here before now.

I guess if they go for it, it's shit or bust, another loss, and really, it's the end of the road unless Joshua wants to become a gatekeeper for other up and coming prospects, which would be pretty sad.

Joshua will be so gunshy he would make the second Ruiz fight seem like Lueshing-Saunders l.

Yep tactically Joshua was all over the place, not even sure what he was trying to do tbh. Hands low, no head movement, but no aggression either. Very odd performance. Can't help thinking he was taking Dubois way too lightly and paid a big price.

He'd get splatted again.

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 08:50

Kilburn wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 06:49 It’s not impossible that Joshua could somehow fair a lot better second time round, but that’s not what my money would be on.

I just don’t think AJ is good enough to prevent Dubois coming at him. It’s questionable whether AJ even has an equaliser in this match up.

Joshua showed he could hurt Dubois for sure, with the first meaningful shot he landed, the problem was, that his follow up left him absolutely wide open.

I still wouldn’t call that an equaliser though. Dubois ate that shot pretty well.

Joshua’s famed right hand didn’t look like much of a danger for Dubois, even before AJ got cracked in the opener.

He doesn’t appear physically able to deal with DDD coming at him, and that’s without even considering what demons he may carry into a rematch.

AJ would have to be able to turn back the clock to even consider a rematch .
DD had the advantage in speed and didnt really need to try and have a defence .
Whereas AJ seemed to have totally lost the plot in terms of his defence and movement .
TBH he just never got going and didnt recover after the 1st round knockdown - reminiscent of the ruiz 3rd round where he got tagged hard and just never regained his composure .
I would watch it of course

I don't think DD is any better than AJ. It's just AJ is shot. He's caught the David Price syndrome and Chandelier disease.

MasterG wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 09:48 I don't think DD is any better than AJ.

Last night proved he was.

I'd be surprised if they took it. I'm not sure ifJoshua has much left or if his massive ego was the issue. They absolutely can't afford to lose again.

He wafted around from the opening bell - Chin high, hands low and leaning back with a total lack of respect for Dubois.

BigDoofus wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 09:51

MasterG wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 09:48 I don't think DD is any better than AJ.

Last night proved he was.

Funny they’ve both been called Bruno’s

MasterG wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 09:48 I don't think DD is any better than AJ. It's just AJ is shot. He's caught the David Price syndrome and Chandelier disease.

Better at their respective stages of their career, better overall. Remains to be seen. Joshua went 12 with Usyk twice, was pretty competitive in 2nd fight.

We will see how rest of DDDs career pans out.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 10:11

BigDoofus wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 09:51

MasterG wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 09:48 I don't think DD is any better than AJ.

Last night proved he was.

Funny they’ve both been called Bruno’s

I said years ago that was an insult to Big Frank. Witherspoon, Tyson and Lennox would have all destroyed AJ much quicker and McCall would have been a problem with his chin.

I was watching a lot of Bruno fights on YouTube a few weeks ago, I'd definitely not be surprised if he beat up both Joshua and Wilder. Fury would be a nightmare opponent for him tho.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 10:33

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 10:11

BigDoofus wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 09:51

Last night proved he was.

Funny they’ve both been called Bruno’s

I said years ago that was an insult to Big Frank. Witherspoon, Tyson and Lennox would have all destroyed AJ much quicker and McCall would have been a problem with his chin.

Yeah, I'm not sure about that, let's not forget, Jumbo Cummings had Bruno all over the gaff in the first scare of his career.

Bruno had very poor survivial instincts, even the ghost of McCall almost had him out of there.

Lewis was not in his prime when he faced Frank, and that was arguably the best performance ever by Bruno, he has a lot of wounded pride going into the fight

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 10:43

mickey1975 wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 10:33

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑22 Sep 2024, 10:11

Funny they’ve both been called Bruno’s

I said years ago that was an insult to Big Frank. Witherspoon, Tyson and Lennox would have all destroyed AJ much quicker and McCall would have been a problem with his chin.

Yeah, I'm not sure about that, let's not forget, Jumbo Cummings had Bruno all over the gaff in the first scare of his career.

Bruno had very poor survivial instincts, even the ghost of McCall almost had him out of there.

Lewis was not in his prime when he faced Frank, and that was arguably the best performance ever by Bruno, he has a lot of wounded pride going into the fight

Got to disagree James.
Frank was too brave for his own good.
I’m not saying he was so great. I’m saying he is so derided. So much so that folks on websites mock him.
No. Frank was very good. In an era of proper fighters.
How would AJ fare against Tim, Lennox, Tyson? Against Bonecrusher Smith.
Tbh I think The Late Gary Mason takes his head off.
Respect James. But I disagree mate