Anthony Joshua’s nook slammed for ‘dangerous’ recommendation earlier than Daniel Dubois KO
The advice Anthony Joshua’s corner gave him during his defeat to Daniel Dubois was labelled “dangerous” just moments before the knockout blow.
Joshua saw his bid to become a three-time world champion go up in smoke on Saturday night. IBF title holder Dubois retained his title inside a packed-out Wembley Stadium, finishing off his fellow Brit inside five rounds.
‘Dynamite’ controlled the fight from the start, sending Joshua to the canvas four times before the KO. Despite that, AJ was heard calling him “s***” as he received advice from his coaches before the fifth.
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“If there’s a bit of a lull, in behind that double jab, bring it up. Roll the dice. He’ll duck under the right hand, lift it yeah,” he was told. Boxing coach Shane McGuigan was working as a pundit for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport and immediately called out those comments.
He said: “I think that’s dangerous advice there to be honest. Getting him to bring it up there off the double jab, Daniel throws that right hand straight off that double jab.
“He means an uppercut by bringing it up, and he’s going to walk straight onto that right hand. In my opinion, keep your hands up tight, get through these next two rounds, and then play to your athleticism down the stretch.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The criticism from McGuigan chillingly foreshadowed what would happen next. Joshua wobbled Dubois with a hefty right, which momentarily seemed like it could swing the momentum and saw him follow up with two more connections before trying the instructed uppercut.
That left him wide open, just as McGuigan had cautioned, allowing Dubois to land the knockout punch. Joshua’s trainer Ben Davison, who had also told him to “bring it up”, owned up to the disappointing showing.
He admitted: “We knew Dubois, he retreats when he jabs. We tried to capitalise on that [but] for whatever reason, things didn’t get going in the early part of the fight. I’d like to say, me and my team have received a hell of lot of credit for good performances he’s had, so it’s important we take responsibility for the bad performance as well.”
