Anthony Joshua has vowed to continue his boxing career despite a crushing defeat by IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois at Wembley. The all-British showdown ended in the fifth round, with Dubois knocking Joshua down four times before securing a knockout victory. It was a devastating loss for Joshua, 34, marking his fourth career defeat and derailing his hopes of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion.
In front of a record crowd of more than 98,000 spectators, Joshua was looking to join boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis by reclaiming the world title. Despite the setback, Joshua remains determined to fight on.
“Of course, I want to continue fighting,” said Joshua, who chose not to take questions at the post-fight press conference. “We took a shot at success and came up short. Does that mean we run away? No, we live to fight another day. I’m a warrior, and I’ll keep my head high.”
READ ALSO: Daniel Dubois Knocks Out Anthony Joshua to Retain IBF World Heavyweight Title
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, echoed the fighter’s determination, assuring fans that Joshua “will definitely be back.” Hearn hinted at potential rematches, including a second bout with Dubois or a long-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury, who is scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk on December 21.
“2025 is going to be an interesting year for Anthony Joshua, whether it’s Dubois, Fury, or someone else,” said Hearn. “Our goal is to ensure he leaves the sport with a lasting legacy and in good health.”
Meanwhile, Dubois, 27, is eyeing his future in the heavyweight division, particularly a rematch with Usyk. “People thought I was going to get knocked out, but I proved them wrong,” Dubois said. “This is just the beginning. I want my rematch with Usyk and to set things right.”
