The news about a supposed knockdown, which some say was even a KO, inflicted by Daniel Dubois on Anthony Joshua during a sparring session has been circulating for several years. However, no videos have ever been presented to support these claims.
The incident dates back to 2016, when Joshua first became world champion by knocking out American Charles Martin in two rounds, while Dubois, only 18 years old at the time, was not yet a professional. AJ has always downplayed the event, claiming he simply took a hard shot with no significant consequences. But now, with the match between Joshua and Dubois for the IBF world title coming up at Wembley on September 21, a key witness has emerged.
Former English boxer Anthony Fowler, who was in the gym that day and witnessed the scene firsthand, has come forward. Here’s what Fowler told TalkSPORT journalist George Glinski about the incident:
“They were just sparring normally. Dubois was really young so he wasn’t really trying to win the rounds.
“I wouldn’t say he was in survival mode but he wouldn’t take many risks.
“He was very cagey sparring Joshua. Obviously, Joshua was the main man on the team so he was always quite wary, but he always punched really hard.
“I remember he hit Frazer Clarke so hard that he snapped his ankle.
“He fell to the floor and snapped his ankle. After that, he was walking around with a cast so he’s always had that real power Dubois.
“Joshua must have been a little clumsy sparring him and he got caught with a short left hook and Joshua’s legs completely went.
“Dubois could have hit him again and put him to sleep but Dubois had a bit too much respect for him to finish him off.
“Obviously, everyone was stood there like ‘Wow’ and Joshua went and jogged around the ring because his legs were like jelly and he was trying to get his legs back.
“And everyone was going ‘Wait, wait, wait’. Joshua wanted to carry on but Rob McCracken was like ‘Have a little break, get your legs back to normal, and then spar’ and then they continued sparring.
“He didn’t knock him out, he didn’t hit the floor but he was really, really hurt.
“Dubois probably could have hit him again and knocked him out but he chose not to out of respect.”
After his revelations, Fowler was asked to predict what will happen in ten days in front of the massive crowd at Wembley, and the former Liverpool athlete responded:
“Joshua used to get the better of most of the sparring but Dubois nearly knocked him out with 18oz gloves and headguards so if he catches him with those 10oz gloves Joshua will be going to sleep.”