Anthony Joshua’s trainer details gameplan that went spectacularly wrong against Daniel Dubois

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Anthony Joshua’s trainer has opened up on the gameplan which went so spectacularly wrong against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.

Dubois, 27, set about dismantling Joshua from the first bell, launching a relentless assault that eventually ended with the clear favourite being counted out following a thrilling exchange of blows.

For Joshua, it was a devastating defeat and the fourth of his career which robbed him of a shot at becoming undisputed world champion.

Joshua linked up with the highly renowned trainer Ben Davison last December, after Davison had helped several of the world’s leading boxers in major title fights, including Tyson Fury when the Gypsy King shed seven stone before fighting Deontay Wilder in 2018.

But Davison could not mastermind victory over the younger, more agile Dubois, as the 34-year-old Joshua’s front-foot plans fell apart.

“We knew Dubois, he retreats when he jabs,” Davison explained after the fight. “we tried to capitalise on that [but] for whatever reason, things didn’t get going in the early part of the fight. We just didn’t manage to get things going early.”

Joshua did find some rhythm in the fifth round and seemed to briefly have the upper hand, but Dubois responded with a barrage that killed off the fight.

“Then [there were] a couple of things we were trying to capitalise on at the end. A very short spell, landing that right hand, following up moments like that, but we didn’t apply the way we wanted to. By that point a lot has gone on, he’s not thinking straight.”

Afterwards Joshua insisted his boxing career was not over, saying: “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.”

His promoter Eddie Hearn suggested there would be a rematch between the pair. “Everyone is very fickle, aren’t they? Yesterday he was in the form of his life, has never looked better – wow, this is unbelievable this new resurgence,” Hearn said.

“He has a bad start, gets dropped, tries to recover his feet and just goes to war with no legs. And finds a way back into the fight and walks on to one. It’s heavyweight boxing and that was the danger of this fight. It was a thriller and we just felt the tide was about to change, but you have to give Daniel credit.”

Davison credited Joshua with going on the attack, despite the plan’s failure.

“It’s a very difficult pill to swallow. We spoke about rolling the dice. He went out on his shield, he showed he’s not [hesitant to let his hands go]. We’re just very gutted.”