Anthony Joshua’s immediate reaction to his fight against Daniel Dubois has become the talk of the boxing world. The fight, held at Wembley Stadium, was highly anticipated, with fans eager to see if Joshua could maintain his dominance.
Joshua, the favorite going into the fight, was expected to control the bout from the start. However, Dubois came out strong, delivering powerful punches that kept Joshua on his back foot.
As the rounds progressed, the tension in the stadium grew. Fans watched as both fighters exchanged heavy blows, with Dubois showing no signs of backing down.
By the fifth round, Joshua had been knocked down multiple times. Despite his best efforts to recover, it was clear that Dubois had the upper hand.
In the final moments of the fifth round, Dubois delivered a crushing right hand. Joshua went crashing to the canvas, face down, leaving the crowd in shock.
The referee stepped in, calling an end to the fight as Joshua’s corner rushed to his aid. It was a devastating defeat for Joshua, marking one of the toughest moments in his career.
But what happened after the fight is what truly left people talking. As Joshua stood up, he walked over to Dubois and uttered two simple words: “Well played.”
These two words, spoken in the heat of the moment, sparked an immediate reaction from fans. Many were surprised by Joshua’s composure after such a brutal knockout.
Social media was flooded with comments from fans. One fan wrote, “Shocked he could speak,” while another added, “Surprised he didn’t say, ‘I’m retiring.'”
Despite the loss, Joshua maintained his dignity during his post-fight interview. When asked about his performance, he gave credit to Dubois and his team.
“The opponent, but credit to him and his team. We rolled the dice and came up short. But everyone in Wembley, I appreciate you,” Joshua said.
Joshua went on to admit his frustrations. “You know I am p***ed, I will keep my cool and be respectful and give all credit to my opponent,” he added.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, also weighed in on the fight. “It’s probably the only time in his whole career I’ve seen him really hurt – to the point he couldn’t get up,” Hearn said.
He highlighted Joshua’s resilience, saying, “As bad as he performed tonight, he still could have won the fight.” Hearn emphasized the heart Joshua showed throughout the fight.
“In the fourth round, he hurt Dubois, in the fifth round Dubois’ legs buckled,” Hearn added. “But he walked onto a crushing right hand.”
Some fans were quick to notice Joshua’s reluctance to mention Dubois by name during his post-fight remarks. One fan observed, “See how he’s not calling Daniel’s name? Says a lot about the animosity he has for Dubois.”
Speculation about Joshua’s future in boxing quickly followed the fight. Many wondered if this was the moment he would consider retirement.
However, Joshua swiftly dismissed those rumors. In a statement following the bout, he made it clear that he wasn’t finished.
“We took a shot at success and came up short. We are trying to create history for British boxing, and I think we are doing that,” Joshua said.
He added, “Do I still want to continue fighting? Of course I want to continue fighting.” His words were a clear sign that Joshua is not ready to step away from the ring.
The aftermath of the fight continues to stir debate among fans and pundits. While the defeat was hard to watch, Joshua’s sportsmanship has been widely praised.
His simple two-word reaction, “Well played,” has resonated with many. It was a testament to his character in the face of adversity.
As the dust settles, the boxing world is left wondering what comes next for Joshua. One thing is certain: he’s not backing down from the challenge.
Joshua’s journey in the ring continues, and fans are eager to see how he will respond to this latest setback. His resolve remains as strong as ever.
Feature Image Credit: (TNT Sports Boxing)
