Watch heartstopping moment Anthony Joshua is KO’d by Daniel Dubois as team throws in towel and he struggles to stand up
THIS is the moment Anthony Joshua’s world title dreams came crashing down.
The 34-year-old’s corner threw in the towel as AJ suffered a battering from Daniel Dubois.
AJ took a savage beating throughout a brutal IBF title showdown at Wembley.
Joshua was powerless to stop Dubois from raining in punches and hit the canvas FOUR times.
He gamely soldiered on before walking into a mammoth right-hand counter hook from Dubois in the fifth round.
The former two-time world champion’s legs went from under him, prompting his corner to throw in the towel.
Joshua didn’t appear to notice the towel land next to him and tried to pull himself back to his feet.
But his legs wouldn’t support his weight, leaving the Watford-born ace with his head pushed into the floor.
As footage from ringside went viral, one fan declared: “They threw the towel? I didn’t even see that?”
Another said: “It’s good they threw in the towel it would’ve been a massacre to say the least.”
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While a third added: “Didn’t even notice the towel getting thrown in when I watched it live. Wow.”
And a fourth commented: “Wow, they threw the towel in. What a fight, shame for AJ, but DDD is a beast.”
Round by round: How Dubois demolished Joshua
ANTHONY JOSHUA bravely picked himself up from the floor against Daniel Dubois – until he could no more.
AJ was floored four times in five rounds by Dubois before a thudding counter right closed the show in dramatic fashion.
Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg takes you round-by-round from the Wembley war.
ROUND 1
Dubois comes out sharp with the jab as Joshua bounces around struggling to deal with the piston-like left.
Huge right hand from Dubois has AJ staggering backwards with his hands far too low from the opening bell.
Joshua made to pay for the mistake as he circles out with his hands down and gets dropped by an overhand right.
ROUND 2
Joshua – saved only by the bell after being floored – struggles to get going as he takes shots to the face.
AJ is tottering and teetering around the ring with his guard again dangerously low and inviting pressure on.
Joshua is attempting to get back into the bout but his jab looks far too lazy – he doesn’t look to have recovered from the knockdown.
ROUND 3
AJ comes out with more intent but swings wildly with a right and connects with only thin air.
Dubois pours on the pressure and hammers Joshua into the corner scoring another knockdown.
The bell sounds but Dubois lands one or two afterwards – again AJ is saved by the clock as the writing looks on the wall.
ROUND 4
Disaster strikes again with Joshua floored once more – losing his balance as he touches the canvas.
The referee gives AJ another fighting chance and Dubois lands a low blow – giving the challenger some valuable respite.
Dubois slows down as four rounds come to a close with Joshua showing sensational resilience to hang in there.
ROUND 5
Joshua lands a huge right hand and Dubois legs buckle – an astonishing turnaround looks to be on the cards.
AJ pins Dubois onto the ropes and attempts one of his signature uppercuts but the countering right hand gets there first.
Joshua is caught flush on the chin, dropped once more and this time out for good. Dubois scores a stunning KO win.
Following the brutal loss, Joshua is adamant he will fight on.
It was AJ’s first loss in the ring since going down to Oleksandr Usyk in August 2022.
He now boasts a pro record of 28-4
A defiant Joshua said: “Before I came here, I’m always saying to myself, ‘I’m a fighter for life.’
“We rolled the dice at success and we came up short and we roll it again. We keep rolling the dice.”
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn added: “I’m sure he will exercise that rematch clause. I mean, I think that’s a given.
“But he’ll need a rest and it’s a dangerous fight this guy’s growing in confidence but 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 from Daniel.”