By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has vowed to continue boxing despite his shocking defeat to Daniel Dubois in London on Saturday.
Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion and return to the division’s top table ended dramatically and unexpectedly, with Dubois dropping him several times at Wembley Stadium before he landed the final blow, a crunching right hand, in Round 5 that saw his English rival fall to the canvas for a fourth career loss, while Dubois retained his IBF belt.
Joshua made an appearance at the post-fight news conference and insisted he would continue to box as he eyes another fight.
“Probably you’re asking, ‘Do I still want to continue fighting?’ Of course, I want to continue fighting,” Joshua said per ESPN.
That’s what I said: we took a shot at success, and we came up short. What does that mean now? We going to run away? Or are we going to live to fight another day?”
The British-Nigerian boxer went to the ground for the first time at the end of Round 1 after Dubois landed a strong left jab on the 34-year-old, stunning the Wembley crowd.
Joshua hailed his opponent for his outstanding performance.
We have to give credit to our opponent as well, Daniel. Well done to him and his team, and also thank you to my team for the way they prepared for me. There were a few mistakes in there, but that’s the name of the game,” Joshua said.
“Fine margins can cost you at the top level.”
Hearn declared in the ring that a rematch clause probably would be activated, but explained in the post-fight news conference that Joshua had an agreement to fight on another Riyadh Season card and probably would want a rematch.
Hearn said Joshua would want to be in major fights to finish his career, and a tune-up bout next up would be unlikely.
“We have another fight with Riyadh Season, and Turki Alalshikh and Daniel Dubois are part of that plan, but so too could be Tyson Fury or another heavyweight,” Hearn said. “I don’t see it being a fight that ends his career, but he’s in the final chapters of the career, and that was a big blow because we fancied winning tonight and fighting the winner of Fury and [Oleksandr] Usyk.
“I just know he’s going to want a big fight; I don’t believe he’ll want to come back in February or March for a runout, Helenius or Franklin, or these kinds of fights. I feel like we’ve done that, and the next decision will be very important.”
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