Anthony Joshua issued an immediate two-word response to his opponent Daniel Dubois after being knocked out in the fifth round of a stunning Wembley fight.
Joshua struggled throughout as Dubois defended his IBF heavyweight world title with a comprehensive victory that saw AJ knocked down four times in total before the fight was declared in round five.
Dubois was dominant and Joshua was gracious in defeat as he was spotted twice uttering the words 'well played' to his opponent in the immediate aftermath of being knocked out in a clear acknowledgement he had come up well short.
He chose to focus on Dubois' strengths rather than his own weaknesses when quizzed by media after the fight.
When asked what the main factor behind his shock defeat was, he said: “The opponent but credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice and came up short. But everyone in Wembley I appreciate you.
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“You know I am p***ed, I will keep my cool and be respectful and give all credit to my opponent.
“I always say I’m a fighter for life, we keep rolling the dice.
“If I am honest, I had a sharp opponent and a fast opponent and lots of mistakes from my end. As p***ed off as I am, it is what it is.”
Dubois meanwhile was predictably in great form as he fielded questions from reporters, saying: "I've only got a few things to say, are you not entertained?!
"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.
"Behind the scenes, the work with my dad. I've been on a rollercoaster run, this is my time, this is my redemption story. I'm not going to stop until I reach my full potential."
WBC, WBA and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury were two interested observers ringside for the fight and Dubois confirmed after his win over Joshua that he would relish the opportunity to fight the Ukrainian once again in a rematch of their 2023 bout which saw Usyk win by knockout in the ninth round.
Usyk and Fury will square off on December 21st in Saudi Arabia and Dubois would have the chance to become undisputed against the winner.
Topics: Anthony Joshua, Boxing
Tom Marshall-Bailey