Eddie Hearn has criticized Anthony Joshua for not pausing his fight with Daniel Dubois after receiving a low blow in the fourth round. Dubois delivered a dominant performance at Wembley on Saturday night, ultimately knocking Joshua out in the fifth round in front of a massive crowd of 96,000 fans.
Despite being knocked down multiple times throughout the fight, Joshua did not halt the bout after Dubois landed an illegal punch below the belt in the penultimate round. Referee Marcus McDonnell intervened briefly to issue a warning to Dubois and allow Joshua up to five minutes to recover, but Joshua chose to continue without protest.
Hearn expressed his disappointment in Joshua’s decision not to take full advantage of the allotted recovery time, citing it as a moment of inexperience. However, he commended Joshua for his fighting spirit and determination to give his all in the ring.
“People always question people’s heart, even the last knockout he’s scrambling to get up, he couldn’t have tried another inch and that’s all you can give to people,” Hearn said. “I think when you do that you can look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘I might not have been good enough tonight but I’ve tried my nuts off and I gave everything.”
Hearn acknowledged Joshua’s willingness to engage in a tough fight, noting that Joshua’s decision not to pause the match showcased his commitment to the sport. Despite the defeat, Hearn believes Joshua’s performance demonstrated his resilience and dedication to the sport.
Moving forward, Hearn dismissed suggestions that Joshua should retire following his fourth professional defeat. Instead, he hinted at a potential rematch between Joshua and Dubois in the future, possibly in 2025. Hearn emphasized Joshua’s relatively low mileage in his career and suggested that retirement decisions would ultimately be made by Joshua himself.
Hearn also hinted at the possibility of Joshua facing other heavyweight contenders in the coming years, including Tyson Fury. He highlighted the importance of ensuring Joshua’s health and legacy in the sport while also providing entertaining matchups for fans.
In conclusion, Hearn’s criticism of Joshua’s decision not to pause the fight after a low blow reflects the intense nature of boxing and the tough decisions fighters must make in the heat of the moment. Despite the defeat, Joshua’s fighting spirit and determination have not gone unnoticed, and fans can expect to see more exciting matchups from the heavyweight champion in the future.