This is why they fight the fights – in the ring, and not on X or on paper.
Leading into the big IBF heavyweight title fight between Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KO’s) and Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KO’s), many felt Joshua would walk through his opponent.
It took a few moments, but those thoughts quickly dissipated. Joshua was knocked down at the end of round one and his balance and legs were gone. Dubois was composed and in control, producing his best performance to date.
Dubois dropped Joshua in the third and seemingly had him out, but Joshua continued to show heart and push through.
Joshua began to land some good shots in the fourth as Dubois looked to slow down a bit.
In round five, both fighters were showing some fatigue, and both were throwing bombs. As they were tied up, Joshua seemed to play to the crowd, and then landed a right hand that stunned Dubois.
Joshua backed Dubois into the corner and landed another good right hand. Dubois was throwing back and landed a right hand on the button that sent Joshua crashing down into the ropes.
Joshua attempted to get up but could not beat the count and, just like that, Dubois picked up his biggest win.
Dubois shouted “Are you not entertained?” after the fight.
He said he will see what’s next but, in beating Joshua, he Dubois has positioned himself as next up for the winner of the much-anticipated Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury showdown on December 21 in a fight that would produce an undisputed heavyweight champion.
Joshua said he would continue to fight after the loss, and tipped his cap to Dubois, giving Dubois all the proper credit for the win.
The night before the heavyweight tilt, we had a super middleweight battle between Jaime Munguia (44-1, 35, KO’s) and Erik Bazinyan (32-1-1, 23 KO’s).
In this fight, many believed it would be easy for Munguia as he was taking on an undefeated but known fighter.
Bazinyan showed right away he was there to win, pressing the action with a jab and staying in well enough range throughout to make the rounds close.
The change and difference in the fight became clear in round six. Munguia began to apply more pressure, and land consistently to the body.
Bazinyan was losing sting in his punches as the rounds went by. He showed some grit and sound ability, though, as he was hurt in the seventh, but stayed composed and backed Munguia off.
In round eight, Munguia was landing some more great work, and it seemed as if it was just a matter of time before Bazinyan would fall as he was being broken down.
In the ninth round, Munguia took a breather with advice from the corner and Bazinyan seemed to pull himself back into the fight. This just delayed the inevitable.
Munguia came out firing in round 10 and did not let up. He hurt Bazinyan with a left and wobbled him to the ropes.
This time he did not back off and continued the onslaught until Bazinyan hit the canvas. The count reached 10, and Munguia responded well to his first career loss.
When asked what’s next, Munguia said he was ready for anyone, mentioning Caleb Plant and Edgar Berlanga as possibilities.
