The boxing world continues to reel from Oleksandr Usyk’s dominant fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium earlier today. The Ukrainian’s victory, reclaiming the undisputed heavyweight title, has sent shockwaves through the sport, with former champion Anthony Joshua offering a candid and surprising reaction that has added fuel to the ongoing narrative.

The Fight Recap

Oleksandr Usyk, 38, faced Daniel Dubois, 27, in a highly anticipated rematch on July 20, 2025, before a crowd of 90,000. Usyk, holding the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts, sought to reclaim the IBF title Dubois won after Usyk vacated it in June 2024. The fight began with Usyk leveraging his speed and counterpunching, dropping Dubois twice in the fifth round with a devastating left hook and a follow-up right, prompting referee Mike Griffin to stop the contest at 1:52. This marked Usyk’s second victory over Dubois, following their controversial 2023 encounter where a low-blow ruling favored Usyk.

Reports from multiple sources, including live updates and post-fight analyses, confirm Usyk’s mastery, landing 46% of his power punches despite throwing fewer overall shots than in their first meeting. Dubois, despite a career-high punch output of 179, struggled against Usyk’s elusiveness, with the knockout ending a promising run that included a stunning victory over Joshua in September 2024.

Anthony Joshua’s Reaction

Anthony Joshua, who lost his WBO, WBA, and IBF titles to Usyk in 2021 and 2022 before being knocked out by Dubois, took to social media at 07:10 PM +07 to share his thoughts. “Big loser! Dubois had his shot and blew it. Respect to Usyk, but this division needs new blood,” Joshua posted, a statement that has sparked widespread discussion. The two-time former heavyweight champion, now 35, appeared to criticize Dubois’ performance while acknowledging Usyk’s dominance, hinting at his own potential return to challenge the Ukrainian.

Joshua’s reaction aligns with his recent form, having lost three of his last five fights, including the Dubois knockout. His comments suggest frustration with the current heavyweight landscape, where Usyk’s reign continues unabated. Posts found on X reflect a mix of support for Joshua’s call for fresh contenders and skepticism about his own prospects, with some fans urging him to retire.

Fact-Checking the Narrative

The fight outcome is undisputed, with video evidence and official scorecards from sources like The Athletic and Al Jazeera confirming Usyk’s knockout at 1:52 of Round 5. Claims of Dubois’ improvement since 2023 are supported by his 95% knockout rate and victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Joshua, but his inability to adapt to Usyk’s counters undermines the “injustice” narrative from their first fight. The low-blow controversy of 2023, where Dubois’ team argued a body shot should have counted, lacks new evidence to alter the rematch’s clear result.

Joshua’s “big loser” label for Dubois is subjective but reflects the fight’s one-sided nature, though some analysts note Dubois’ early aggression showed promise. Usyk’s age-related vulnerabilities, a point raised pre-fight, were debunked by his performance, as he dismissed concerns with, “38 is a young guy,” post-fight. No official word confirms Joshua’s next move, but his reaction suggests he may target Usyk, a rematch Usyk has hinted at alongside potential bouts with Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua.

What This Means

Usyk’s victory solidifies his status as a three-time undisputed champion, a feat unmatched in the four-belt era, and leaves his next opponent uncertain—names like Fury, Joshua, and Joseph Parker are in play. For Dubois, the loss drops him to 22-3 and raises questions about his trajectory, despite his recent IBF title reign. Joshua’s outburst positions him as a potential challenger, though his own recent record tempers expectations. The heavyweight division remains Usyk’s domain, with the sport eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this evolving saga.

As the night progresses, Joshua’s bold statement has set the stage for a dramatic shift, with the boxing world poised to see if he can back his words with action.