Anthony Joshua addresses retirement talk after disappointing defeat to Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua has played down any talk of retirement following his defeat to fellow British boxer Daniel Dubois.

'AJ' was knocked out in the fifth round of the bout at Wembley Stadium, ending any immediate hope of becoming a three-time world champion. A British-record crowd of over 98,000 people saw Dubois retain his IBF World Heavyweight title with a victory that shocked the boxing world.

The 27-year-old put in a dominant performance, flooring Joshua in the first round with a strong overhand right that he never truly recovered from. Despite coming forward in the fifth round with a big straight right-hand, Dubois countered with devastating knockout blow.

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“Always walk with your head high, we rolled the dice, for the third time, 13 world title fights, not every one has been successful, but they’ve all been fun and entertaining,” Joshua told the Independent when asked about his future.

“You’re probably asking if I still want to consider fighting? Of course I want to continue fighting. We took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now? That we’re going to run away? We’re going to live to fight another day. And that’s what I am – I’m a warrior.

“There were a few mistakes in there but that’s the name of the game. Fine margins will cost you at the top level. Also before I finish, we have to give credit our opponent Daniel. When I sign up to fight opponents, I don’t really like them in my head any more. But now that it’s done, I take my hat off to him and say well done.”

Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn admitted this was the first time he'd seen the former two-time world champion hurt during their 11-years working together.

“It’s probably the only time in his whole career I’ve seen him really hurt, it’s not bad, having won two world championships and 13 world title fights, to the point he couldn’t get up,” Hearn added.

“It’s the first time in his career that he’s been properly hurt, you never want to carry on too long, but AJ doesn’t have many miles on the clock. When Ben comes to me and says, ‘he doesn’t look the same fighter anymore’, and AJ will make that decision.

“We’ve seen the best AJ over the last year, it’s difficult to say that’s it. These are the closing chapters of his career. We have another fight with RS, Dubois is part of that plan. So too is Tyson Fury or another heavyweight. 2025 is going to be an interesting year for Joshua, against whoever, you’ll be entertained.

“Our interests are that he leaves this sport with legacy, money and his health in tact, knocked out like that you have to look at that. That was just a shot, trading with a huge right hand, it doesn’t matter who you are, you’re getting knocked out.”

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