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.
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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.”
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.
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“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.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
