Anthony Joshua’s actions, second earlier than being knocked out badly by Daniel Dubois, have come into query in a video.
Footage from Wembley reveals Joshua pulling tongues a number of instances at his opponent regardless of being dropped 3 times within the first 4 rounds. These actions had been already criticized earlier than Joshua advised coach Ben Davison he thought Dubois was ‘sh**’ between the fourth and fifth rounds.
What made the assertion much more polarizing was Joshua’s lack of respect for a person who clearly had his quantity. Statements reminiscent of that mid-fight don’t align with Joshua’s ‘Keep Humble’ mantra and his personal name for respect from all his opponents within the build-up to fights.
In Joshua’s earlier losses, the identical occurred in opposition to Andy Ruiz Jr. and Oleksandr Usyk. It appears the Briton doesn’t take dropping in addition to he thinks.
A clip doing the rounds on social media unearthed a startling trade between fighter and coach, who could be parting methods after Saturday night time’s disastrous show.
“We reside for moments like this,” stated Joshua as he tried to fathom what was taking place to him as Dubois pummeled him from spherical one.
“Yeah, yeah, 100%. We get by way of them. That’s what it’s all about,” replied Davison. “We get by way of them, the warrior spirit.”
Davison added, “However we’ve received to be good,” to which Joshua responded, “I’m, I’m.”
The pair then stated, ‘Roll that cube’ to one another earlier than Joshua tried to tell Davison that he knew what to anticipate originally of the fifth.
“In the beginning of this spherical, he’ll come out quick,” the previous heavyweight champion predicted. A short while later, he acknowledged, “He’s sh**!”
Seconds later, Joshua went for the jugular and got here up brief, with Dubois laying him out with a candy proper hand. Joshua’s karma was served ice-cold after his derogatory phrases to the IBF champion.
Within the ring, Joshua then threatened to ‘kick-off’ after dropping, which some stated was ‘infantile’ habits, and it’s not the primary time that’s occurred both. After dropping to Usyk, his actions had been deplorable as he took the shine of the Ukrainian’s win by throwing his belts out of the ring and waffling on the microphone.
The actual fact Joshua additionally walked second nonetheless rankles with many, too. Dubois was the titleholder and may have walked second. If there’s a rematch, this absolutely have to be rectified.
Talks for a second encounter are tipped to happen within the coming weeks, with dates in April and Might 2025 already earmarked for an additional Wembley showdown. Saudi Arabia can also be thought of, because the Riyadh season will likely be underway by then.
Nevertheless, it is going to undoubtedly be Dubois vs Joshua 2 because the challenger is the B facet after his wipeout defeat in entrance of over 98,000 attendees.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Study extra concerning the creator, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
