Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA “looked like he was in hypnosis” just moments before fighting Daniel Dubois. Dubois dropped AJ four times on the way to a stunning fifth-round knockout in front of a British-record 98,000 fans.Anthony Joshua ‘looked like he was in hypnosis’ before losing to Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyDubois knocked out Joshua in round fiveCredit: PAAnd the win is even more remarkable considering his head trainer Don Charles was not present in the days before the bout amid illness. Charles and Dubois’ team were forced to deny claims they had sensationally split only hours before the first bell sounded. It all built to a stunning upset as Joshua was knocked out by a thudding right hand in round five. But experienced cornerman Charles could see the writing on the wall.READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said on talkSPORT: “My duty and focus is on us, but I know Anthony Joshua very well. “But when I looked across the ring, I saw a man who looked like he was in a trance.”He looked like he was in hypnosis, like he had been hypnotised. I am experienced, I can pick up on things.”I thought ‘we’d got you’, because I didn’t recognise the person I know. He was under hypnosis.”They said Daniel was going to get stage fright, but he looked like a man who was in a state of shock.”He was like ‘oh my god this is real now’, he could also feel the energy from the opposition.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA rematch is now on the cards after Joshua refused retirement.His promoter Eddie Hearn claimed there is a rematch clause but opposite number Frank Warren argued they are not obligated for a second fight.Dubois meanwhile is open to a rematch with AJ or Oleksandr Usyk, 37, who beat him in nine rounds last year. Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fans More

DANIEL DUBOIS said he claimed victory over Anthony Joshua before their fight had even started. Dubois dropped AJ four times on the way to a stunning fifth-round knockout in front of a British-record 98,000 fans. Daniel Dubois walked to the ring second before Anthony JoshuaCredit: PAJoshua came out second at WembleyCredit: GettyBut the reigning IBF champion actually walked out first – despite being the one defending the belt. It mattered little as Dubois instead got the last laugh – KOing Joshua after winning the battle of the ring walks. He said on talkSPORT: “It’s not right really for the champion to come out first but at the end of the day, I was in my mindset.”We had a great ring walk, it was perfect, the whole occasion was just huge, the opportunity, everything.READ MORE IN BOXING”I was just soaking it up. When I was in the ring we lit up the place. That was the best ring walk, don’t you think?”I was all business from the moment I left the dressing room to when I got into the ring.”Once I was in the ring, it was like ‘No looking back now, it is on’.”Joshua, 34, was boxing in his sixth stadium showdown while the stage had never been set higher for Dubois, 27. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut he said: “I was not going to freeze, I wasn’t overawed by the occasion. “To me, it was like a stroll in the park walking in there, I had to be in the right mindset to go in there and do what I did.Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fans”It was doing everyone proud, doing my family proud, my dad, my team that is around me.”I couldn’t let them down, I did months and months of training for this and I was in the gym every day, hating what I was doing.”But I’ve done it so there are no excuses… I’m always my biggest critic so I look where I can improve on but I’m proud.”I did myself proud, I believe, all of the fights I’ve had back to back have been top-level fights and I’ve come through them so I’m proud of myself.”A rematch is now on the cards after Joshua refused retirement.His promoter Eddie Hearn claimed there is a rematch clause but opposite number Frank Warren argued they are not obligated for a second fight. But Dubois remains open, as he added: “Yeah, if that happens down the line then yes. If that happens next then yeah. I want to go for it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I want to do even better next time. I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that’s what we have been doing…”I think I would, I can do a lot better than that. It was a great showing but next time I believe I’ll be more clinical. More sharp, everything.”Dubois knocked out Joshua in round fiveCredit: Getty More

DANIEL DUBOIS’ climb to the top of the heavyweight division and stunning knockout of Anthony Joshua would have shocked many. But not the great Mick Delaney. Dale Youth boxing coach Mick Delaney, left, in 2017Credit: RexEx-world champion James DeGale, centre in red, with Dubois on the leftDubois during his Dale Youth daysDelaney is the legendary amateur boxing at Dale Youth in West London who worked with the likes of James DeGale and George Groves. And he also brought through a teenage Dubois, who weighed as much as 16 STONE during those days. A sensational Boxing News column dug out on the BBC’s boxing podcast revealed how Delaney saw into the future in 2015. Nearly ten years ago, Delaney wrote: “You can tell, I think, within a year if a boxer has got something special. READ MORE IN BOXING”With DeGale and Groves, you could tell from their first junior bouts they were going to be special. “Now we have a super-heavyweight, Danny Dubois, who had a win in Durham at the Youth Championships, a national competition at the weekend.”He’s already a potential GB podium squad member up in Sheffield. He’s going to be something special. “He weighed in at the weekend at over 102kg, he’s a huge lad. A lot of people are saying he’s going to be another Anthony Joshua. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He’s very heavy-handed and he’s a good boxer with it. It’s a long way to go but if he keeps his feet on the floor and behaves himself I think he can go as far as Joshua.”Dubois had a relatively short senior amateur boxing career – turning professional in 2017 aged 19 after snubbing the Olympics. Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fansBut the junior amateur champion represented top clubs like Dale Youth, Repton and Islington before turning over. In the build-up to his world title defence against AJ, rumours of how he floored the millionaire superstar persisted. But he emphatically left no room to argue when it mattered as he floored Joshua FOUR times before a brutal round five KO.A rematch is on the cards of Joshua, 34, refused to retire. But Dubois, 27, also has a Oleksandr Usyk, 37, in his sights after being beaten by the heavyweight king last year. Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in round fiveCredit: PA More

DANIEL DUBOIS’ next fight will be determined by whoever has the deepest pockets – casting doubt over a rematch with Anthony Joshua. Dubois sensationally knocked out AJ in round five of their world title fight in what was a British-record crowd of 98,000.Daniel Dubois knocked out Anthony JoshuaCredit: ReutersJoshua – who was down four times in total – has refused to retire while his promoter Eddie Hearn says a rematch is on the cards. Part of the historic set of fans was Oleksandr Usyk, who beat Dubois in nine rounds last year. And Dubois fancies a crack at revenge but admitted his immediate future will come down to whoever fronts the most cash. He told talkSPORT: “I would love a rematch [with Usyk] but either one really, whoever pays me more money.READ MORE IN BOXING”Also if that [a rematch with Joshua] happens next then yeah. I want to go for it. I want to do even better next time.”I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that’s what we have been doing.”I think I would, I can do a lot better than that. It was a great showing but next time I believe I’ll be more clinical. More sharp, everything.”Usyk, 37, became the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion after victory over Tyson Fury, 36, in May. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut to proceed with their December 21 rematch, he was forced to vacate the IBF belt. Dubois, 27, was elevated from the interim title he won against Filip Hrgovic, 32, in June. Anthony Joshua’s ironic final words before brutal Daniel Dubois KO revealed by coach Ben DavisonBut any questions over his championship status were silenced with the crushing right hand he KO’d Joshua, 34, with. Hearn said there is a rematch clause giving them the opportunity at a sequel with Dubois. But opposite number Frank Warren argued there is no obligation their side to take the rerun next.It leaves Dubois’ future looking bright several options – while Joshua’s said his only option to rebuild again. He told his near 20m social media followers: “We came up short. But we have to look at all the positives.’Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fightDANIEL DUBOIS annihilated Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois landed an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF belt.AJ, 34, never recovered after being downed in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown as a huge Dubois right-hand haymaker caught him flush on the chin.Here’s what they said after the fight:DANIEL DUBOIS“Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this game.“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and this is my time. I’m not gonna stop until I reach my full potential.”ANTHONY JOSHUA“As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes from me. Credit to my opponent and his team.“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m p***ed but I’m going to keep cool and give respect to my opponent.”FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS’ PROMOTER)“It was a phenomenal fight, like  Hagler v Hearns.“A brilliant fight and everybody has seen a champion’s performance tonight.“Daniel has shown his courage, his skills.“AJ caught him with a shot towards the end and I was worried, but what a fabulous, fantastic fight.”EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)“AJ shipped a huge right hand  in the first round and  was fighting on heart.“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth, but got greedy and walked on to a right hand and that’s all she wrote.“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.””That’s the mindset and the perspective we have to have. Look what we have achieved in 11 years, it’s phenomenal.”I want to thank every single one of you who has been riding with me. “What a rollercoaster journey – and you know what the problem is? It’s far from over yet.””We’ve done it once, we’ve done it twice, doing it a third time hasn’t been easy but I believe it is something I can achieve.”It’s about making the right steps forward and working hard. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Keep your seatbelts on because deep, deep, down in [my heart], I know we’ve got a lot more to bring.”British Boxing I appreciate you and let’s rise up together.”Joshua addressed his future in a video to fansCredit: INSTAGRAM @anthonyjoshua More

DANIEL DUBOIS has received a massive call-out from a former world champion following his demolition job of Anthony Joshua.The Greenwich gladiator shocked the world at the weekend by sensationally stopping AJ in the fifth round of their Wembley war.Daniel Dubois decimated Anthony Joshua in their Wembley war last weekendCredit: GETTY’Dynamite’ dropped AJ four times on his way to earning a stunning fifth-round KOCredit: GETTYThe world is now Dubois’ oyster following the biggest win of his careerCredit: REUTERSDubois, 27, dropped his former sparring partner a staggering FOUR TIMES on his way to retaining the IBF heavyweight title.Options are plenty for Dubois following his career-best performance, which has put him in line for an undisputed bout against the winner of Tyson Fury’s December rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.But former WBO champ Joseph Parker could be a potential foe for the Brit next year after throwing his hat into the ring.Promoter David Higgins told Sky Sports: “Whenever, anywhere, anytime. READ MORE ON DANIEL DUBOIS”Joseph would love to fight Daniel Dubois next, he’s chomping at the bit.”Joseph is ready to fight anyone but if he was given the opportunity to fight Daniel Dubois, he’d grab it with both hands and he would back himself to win.”I think besides Fury vs Usyk II, Parker vs Dubois I think – in the heavyweights – will be the best fighting the best.”Parker has put himself back in the title picture with five wins on the bounce, including triumphs over former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.Most read in BoxingAnd Higgins insists the Kiwi killer is primed and ready to face Dubois should he opt not to wait for the winner of Usyk vs Fury II.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFormer WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois wants a piece of Daniel DuboisCredit: GettyHe said: “Parker is on a roll and has surprised people and I think you could say the same about Daniel Dubois.”Styles makes fights and I think the fans would love to see Joseph Parker versus Daniel Dubois.Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fans”So if the powers that be are willing to make that fight, that would be a wonderful thing.”He’s been doing a lot of off-season work with George Lockhart on building up some more size and strength.”I think we’ll see an even better Joseph Parker at the next outing.”He [Parker] has fought his way, earned his way back to the mandatory position in the WBO interim world champion.”He has done that the old-fashioned way by stepping up and consecutively beating some of the toughest opponents in the world.”He has no fear of Daniel Dubois. He’d fight him anywhere, anytime and back himself to beat and knock out Daniel Dubois.”Dubois knows he is currently in a dream position in terms of choosing opponents but he has no preference as to who he faces next.He said: “All of the best, maybe Usyk, a big shot at my redemption, but anyone can get it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s been a journey and I’m grateful to be in this position. I’m a gladiator, I’m a warrior until the bitter end.”I want to get to the top of this sport and reach my full potential.” More

A BOXER has been declared brain dead and placed on life support after collapsing during a fight.Karan Pipaliya, 19, received medical attention during a bout at the Gujarat State Boxing Championships in India.A boxer, 19, has been declared brain dead after collapsing during a fight in IndiaCredit: GettyThe teenage fighter had been competing against Harshvardhan Rathod in the men’s 63.5kg division.However, the fight was halted at the end of the third round due to Pipaliya’s deteriorating condition.Local reports claim Pipaliya suffered a brain haemorrhage after collapsing and later underwent surgery at a private hospital.It is understood he was then transferred to SIMS hospital, where he was declared brain dead upon arrival.READ MORE IN BOXINGAs Pipaliya remains on life support, his dad Bharat has slammed the lack of ambulances at the event.He told the Times of India: “The event had 150-odd participants but there were not enough ambulances.”I learned that my son was taken to hospital in a private car as there was only one ambulance.”If there had been an ambulance available, my son could have received prompt treatment and could have been saved.Most read in BoxingKaran Pipaliya’s dad has slammed the lack of ambulances after he was placed on life supportCredit: Getty”I request organisers to have adequate ambulances to ensure that such a thing doesn’t happen again.”My Chirag got extinguished, this should not happen to anyone else’s son.”AJ vs Dubois: Round-by-roundMeanwhile, his mother Rita also lamented the delays in transporting her son to hospital.She said: “He suffered the injuries at 2.30pm but was taken to hospital at 4pm.Rita also added: “The hospital took long to complete the formalities for treatment in Mehsana.”If I could have taken a flight and got to Mehsana faster, my son would be talking to me now.” More