Boxing

ANTHONY JOSHUA has already held “proactive talks” just days after being knocked out by Daniel Dubois. AJ was floored FOUR times before a crushing right hand in round five closed the show in front of a British-record 98,000 fans. Anthony Joshua with Turki Alalshikh and Eddie HearnCredit: Twitter But in the immediate aftermath of the fight and the days following, Joshua announced plans to fight on and snub retirement. And his next fight appears to already be on the cards after AJ posed with promoter Eddie Hearn and Saudi Arabia’s boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh posted: “The Champ will return soon.” Joshua, 34, replied: “Proactive talks. Thank you to all my supporters who came to the fight, I appreciate you all.” READ MORE IN BOXINGThe two-time heavyweight champion still has one fight contracted with Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season. And Hearn revealed a rematch with Dubois, 27, remains an option. But so too could be fighting Tyson Fury, 36, who rematches Oleksandr Usyk, 37, on December 21. Even Deontay Wilder, 38, is a wildcard alternative for AJ despite the American’s run of two losses. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHearn told iFL TV: “If Fury was to lose maybe they both say ‘Right, let’s give the public one last hurrah, two big fights, done’. “”Or, if Fury wins, he could defend against AJ for the unified world heavyweight title and AJ could beat him and become a three-time heavyweight champion. Tyson Fury showers Oleksandr Usyk with praise after Daniel Dubois KOs Anthony Joshua”Anything’s possible. Or we could rematch Daniel Dubois. Or could fight someone else. Deontay Wilder. “I dunno, it’s not something that’s been discussed yet but two guys coming off defeats, big punchers, someone’s got to go from the sport. “But for me the options are rematch Daniel Dubois or wait and see what happens in Fury against Usyk.”Daniel Dubois knocked out AJ in round fiveCredit: GETTY More

TYSON FURY showered Oleksandr Usyk with praise for giving Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois a “real boxing lesson.” Fury and Usyk – who rematch on December 21 – were part of the British record 98,000 that watched Dubois knock out Joshua at Wembley. Tyson Fury embracing with Oleksandr UsykFury and Usyk are set to rematch on December 21Usyk has two points victories over AJ and followed that up by stopping Dubois in nine rounds last year. The Ukrainian then capped off his heavyweight success by becoming the first to defeat Fury in May.But they put rivalry aside for a selfie while Fury was quick to give Usyk his flowers in the aftermath of Dubois’ KO win. That is despite refusing to acknowledge his defeat to Usyk earlier in the year. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said: “You gave them both a real boxing lesson. I give you credit, you did well. “That’s what boxing skills do. Skills pay the bills. You know what I mean?”Usyk, 36, beat Fury, 37, in Saudi Arabia to become the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion. But to proceed with the rematch, he was forced to vacate the IBF title which Dubois, 27, inherited after being elevated from interim champion. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAfter knocking out Joshua, 34, he has his eyes on a rematch with Usyk. But Fury gets there first and despite the warm embrace with his rival, the Gypsy King still maintains he was unfairly beaten on the scorecards. ‘That’s cost me £150m, silly c–t’, rants Tyson Fury in immediate aftermath to Anthony Joshua’s KO vs Daniel DuboisHe told iFL TV: “I don’t think it was close. Hands down, I will always believe that and Usyk will too. They got a gift decision over the Gypsy King, end of.”If you give him eight, nine and ten and class nine as a two-rounder, he didn’t win any other rounds in that fight.”Even give him round one for the sake of it and how does he win? He doesn’t.”It is what it is, it’s over now. They’ve had my decision, they took my virginity unfairly.”Fury and Usyk reunited for an epic selfie More

ANTHONY JOSHUA gym-mate Fabio Wardley has come to the X-rated defence of under-fire shared trainer Ben Davison.The Harlow coach – who brilliantly resurrected the career of Tyson Fury – got the best out of 34-year-old AJ in his previous two knockout wins.Anthony Joshua gym-mate Fabio Wardley has come to the x-rated defence of under-fire shared trainer Ben DavisonCredit: Instagram @fabiowardleyDavison got the best out of 34-year-old AJ in his previous two knockout winsCredit: GettyBut the formbook went out of the window against Daniel Dubois on Saturday night, with the London 2012 legend getting pulverised in five one-sided rounds.And Davison is in the crosshairs for his cornerwork –  where orders to “roll the dice” and throw uppercuts were loud and clear – which contributed to Joshua getting starched violently for the first time in his iconic career and has earned the trainer pelters.But Wardley – who rematches Frazer Clarke on October 12 – told the critics: “They can all f*** off, all of them, they are all f***ing idiots. It doesn’t make any sense.“Ben has done a tremendous amount of work with a bunch of fighters.READ MORE BOXING“One loss does not make him a bad coach or a bad trainer, it just didn’t work on the night.“There isn’t a single trainer in the UK that hasn’t lost a fight.“But one loss and everyone says he’s no good. But that’s fickle, everyone talks a lot of b*******s.A round-one knockdown robbed Joshua, 34, of his senses, balance and legs.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWithout a solid base from which to throw power punches – especially uppercuts – it seemed a dangerous plan.Respected trainer Shane McGuigan was a ringside pundit who heard the fourth-round instructions and feared the worst that happened seconds later.Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fansAnd Wardley admits he would have taken a different approach, if he had suffered such an early attack.The Suffolk Puncher explained: “I think, my own personal opinion, is that his initial gameplan in the first minute didn’t work.“Then Daniel steamrolled him, chased him down.“After he got clipped, he kept backing up and that just gives your opposition more momentum.“I would have said ‘tuck your chin, guard up, shoulders in, and throw punches.“Get low and start letting bombs go, let the opponent know you are still there.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Let your opponent know you are still there.”The modest British champion – who started out boxing in pubs – said: “That’s what I think he should have done but what do I know, he’s a two-time world champion and I am a little white-collar bloke.” More

DANIEL DUBOIS earned less than a TRAIN DRIVER last year before his knockout win over Anthony Joshua.The boxing sensation banked a guaranteed £3.5million for flooring Anthony Joshua on Saturday night – with further payments based on PPV ratings. Daniel Dubois pocketed £3.5million after beating Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyThe Brit boxer paid himself just over £55k last yearCredit: GettyBritain’s newest boxing star is set to earn even bigger paychecks next year, with a potential rematch with Joshua. The 27-year-old South Londoner is also set to be inundated with lucrative sponsorship deals. However, Dubois paid himself just £55,582 in dividends in 2023, according to the accounts of T.K.O. Daniel Dubois Limited, the firm he uses to handle his fight cash. That works out at a modest £1,069 a week.READ MORE IN BOXINGThis is significantly less than the £64,000 average salary of a trained diver in the UK.Dubois’ earnings were comparable to the £55k and £56k salaries of optometrists and headteachers.By comparison, the firm that channels Joshua’s boxing and sponsorship earnings is worth £180 million. AJ banked £41.3 million last year – or £113,000 per day. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJoshua works with brands including fashion giant Hugo Boss, Jaguar Land Rover and sports firm Under Armour – these kind of deals were worth £13 million last year to the Watford-fighter. Dubois stunned Wembley Stadium on Saturday night when he knocked out crowd favourite Joshua in the fifth round to retain his IBF heavyweight title.Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fansHe has since refused to guarantee AJ a rematch and instead he will go for the biggest payday.One rival Dubois would like to fight would be Oleksandr Usyk who he lost to last year.He told talkSPORT: “I would love a rematch [with Usyk] but either one really, whoever pays me more money.”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.”‘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.” More

EDDIE HEARN revealed he was “screaming” at Anthony Joshua before Daniel Dubois knocked him out. Hearn watched in horror as AJ was floored FOUR times before a crushing right hand in round five closed the show. Daniel Dubois knocked ot Anthony Joshua in five roundsCredit: GettyJust a round earlier, Joshua was again sent to a canvas before the bout was momentarily halted after Dubois landed a low blow. AJ was entitled to up to five minutes to recover from the illegal punch – which could have been pivotal to recovering from the prior onslaught. But Joshua was quick to tell the referee he was OK to fight on – something Hearn chalked up as a rookie mistake. He said: “People talk about him taking the knee, spitting a gumshield out, listen, when Daniel Dubois hit him in the nuts in the third or fourth round, I’m screaming at AJ to take the full five minutes.READ MORE IN BOXING”That’s actually a little bit of inexperience. At that point when he couldn’t stand up, he’s been hit full blown in the conkers, all he’s got to do to the ref is [say] but that’s not him.”He just went to the ref, ‘I’m fine, come on, let’s go’. I’m like, ‘no, no, what are you doing?’. “And then it happened again because he just came to fight tonight. When you talk about entertainment, maybe vulnerability, but also a huge puncher who’s prepared to let his hands go.”It was a hell of a fight, hell of a fight, and as gutted as we are Daniel deserves a lot of credit because tonight was his crowning night. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Not being elevated to interim champion, tonight was the night I believe he became a real world champion.”Joshua, 34, spoke out after his defeat to insist he will NOT retire. Anthony Joshua confirms retirement decision following shock loss to Daniel Dubois as he sends video message to fansHe is still contracted to one more bout with Riyadh season and Saudi Arabia’s boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh. And Hearn named a rematch with Dubois, 27, as an option to take. But Tyson Fury, 36, who rematches Oleksandr Usyk, 37, is another alternative. Fury lost his WBC belt and unbeaten record to Usyk in May and now rematch on December 21. And Hearn has said in victory or even defeat for Fury it could pave the way for a Joshua fight. Deontay Wilder, 38, is another wildcard option despite the American losing his last two bouts. Joshua with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Reuters More