Anthony Joshua’s shocking fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in their IBF heavyweight title clash this past September has left fans and analysts questioning what went wrong for the former unified heavyweight champion.

Joshua, who was knocked down four times in the bout, offered no excuses following the defeat, instead praising Dubois for his career-best performance.

However, his trainer Ben Davison later revealed that several issues in Joshua’s preparation contributed to the result.

What Went Wrong for Joshua?

Speaking to talkSPORT, Davison explained that Joshua’s training camp was less than ideal, though he was quick to clarify that this wasn’t an attempt to downplay Dubois’ victory.

“I know that among ourselves we know where some things went wrong. It’s important for us that we don’t look like we are making excuses.”

“However, there are things that went wrong that we could have done a better job within and around, closer to the fight.”

While Davison did not elaborate on specific issues, there has been speculation about injuries and disruptions in Joshua’s camp.

Joshua’s team ultimately convinced him to postpone a planned February rematch with Dubois to allow him time to recover from lingering injuries, signaling that his physical condition may have been a factor in the first fight.

Joshua’s Path to the Dubois Fight

Joshua had been on a four-fight winning streak leading up to the Dubois bout, bouncing back from back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.

Those wins positioned him for another shot at a world title, but the fight against his former sparring partner ended in disaster.

Dubois, known for his power and aggression, capitalized on Joshua’s vulnerabilities, landing heavy shots that led to the four knockdowns.

The defeat was a setback for Joshua’s ambitions to reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division.

The Future of Joshua vs Fury

With both Joshua and Tyson Fury now out of the heavyweight title picture, the long-awaited “Battle of Britain” between the two may finally happen.

While Fury recently suffered his own defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk—failing to beat the Ukrainian in 24 rounds over two fights—the matchup between Joshua and Fury remains the most lucrative and entertaining option for both fighters as they approach the tail end of their careers.

What Experts Are Saying

Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin, who faced both Fury and Joshua, provided insight into how the fight might play out.

Wallin, who nearly defeated Fury in 2019 and was stopped by Joshua in five rounds, gave AJ a good chance but leaned toward Fury as the favorite.

“I feel like Joshua is a very good fighter, very good power, very good counterpuncher. I feel like he definitely has a shot with Fury. And you just never know what Tyson Fury shows up,” Wallin told Sun Sport.

“The fight I had against Joshua was a lot tougher than the one I had against Fury. That doesn’t mean everything, but I give Joshua more of a chance than I did before.”

What’s Next for Joshua?

While a rematch with Dubois was initially scheduled for February 22 in Riyadh, Joshua’s team has opted for a longer recovery period.

Hearn has indicated that Joshua’s next fight will likely depend on the outcome of negotiations for the Fury fight, which could take place in 2025.

For now, Joshua is focused on rebuilding both mentally and physically after a tough loss, while Dubois enjoys his moment in the spotlight as IBF champion.

Anthony Joshua’s loss to Daniel Dubois marked a major setback in his career, but it’s far from the end.

With time to recover and reassess, Joshua still has the chance to stage a comeback.

Whether that involves another shot at Dubois, a blockbuster fight with Tyson Fury, or another path entirely, AJ’s journey in the heavyweight division is far from over.