British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, born in Nigeria, has been suspended from boxing for a minimum of 28 days following his recent defeat to Daniel Dubois, a less-ranked British boxer, on September 21.
In that match, held at Wembley Stadium in front of 96,000 spectators, Dubois knocked Joshua out in the fifth round after scoring four knockdowns.
With this victory, Dubois defended his IBF heavyweight title, while Joshua’s future in boxing has become uncertain.
As per standard protocol, the British Boxing Board of Control has mandated a 28-day suspension for Joshua, prohibiting him from competing during this time.
This suspension aligns with the regulations set by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, which stipulate that fighters receive medical suspensions after experiencing knockouts (KO) or technical knockouts (TKO).
Joshua could be cleared to return to the ring in November 2024. He has maintained that he is not considering retirement, despite experiencing four losses in the past three years.
Following his loss to Dubois, Joshua expressed his determination to continue fighting, stating, “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 came up short. That doesn’t mean we’re going to run away; we’ll live to fight another day. I’m a warrior, and I’ll always hold my head high.”
He reflected on the experience, acknowledging mistakes made during the match, and emphasized the fine margins that can impact success at the highest levels.
Additionally, Joshua paid tribute to Dubois, saying, “I don’t usually think positively of my opponents, but now that it’s over, I take my hat off to him and say well done.”
