Michael Bisping, former UFC middleweight champion and a long-time boxing fan, didn’t hold back in his reaction to Anthony Joshua’s shocking defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois. In a night that promised to be a showcase for AJ’s legacy, it quickly turned into a nightmare. As the rounds progressed, Bisping, along with the boxing world, watched as Joshua was battered from pillar to post by the younger, more aggressive Dubois.

The Fight Begins: The Shock to the System

The build-up to the fight had been intense. With 96,000 fans packed into Wembley Stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Fireworks exploded, the crowd roared, and all eyes were on Anthony Joshua, who was hoping to make a statement. But what followed was nothing short of a disaster for the former champion. As soon as the first round began, Daniel Dubois came out aggressive, putting pressure on Joshua and landing big shots. Joshua tried to fight his usual composed style, but he was soon caught with a massive right hand that sent him crashing to the canvas at the end of round one.

Bisping, in his instant reaction, didn’t mince words: “AJ got battered!” The knockout artist, Dubois, wasted no time in setting the tone, and it was clear from the get-go that Joshua was in serious trouble.

A Relentless Dubois

As the fight went on, Dubois showed he wasn’t just in it for the payday—he was there to prove he belonged at the top of the heavyweight division. Every time Joshua tried to get back into the fight, Dubois pressed forward with vicious combinations, landing flush shots to Joshua’s chin. Bisping noted how Dubois wasn’t just throwing power punches but was also incredibly composed in his attacks, picking his moments and showing great technique.

Joshua, on the other hand, looked overwhelmed. While Bisping acknowledged Joshua’s heart—he didn’t quit, he stood his ground—there was a clear sense that AJ was simply outmatched on the night. He got caught again in round three, hitting the canvas twice and visibly rocked. His defense was shaky, and Dubois took full advantage, landing punch after punch. By round four, Joshua was clearly in survival mode.

The Turning Point: Joshua’s Resilience, But It Wasn’t Enough

In round five, Bisping pointed out a brief flicker of hope for Joshua. It seemed like Dubois was slowing down just a little, and Joshua took advantage, landing a few heavy shots that looked like they could have turned the tide. For a moment, there was a brief sense of hope—maybe Joshua could rally back and find his groove. But Bisping quickly shot that down: “He got a little bit of success, but when you’re facing someone like Dubois, you’ve got to keep your foot on the gas. AJ was too static. He dropped his guard, and Dubois saw his opening.”

As Joshua backed Dubois into the ropes, the crowd thought the tide might be turning. But Dubois responded with a blistering right hook that sent Joshua crashing to the canvas for the final time. “That was it,” Bisping said. “He wasn’t getting up from that one.”

The Aftermath: What Does This Mean for Joshua?

After the fight, Bisping reflected on what this defeat means for Anthony Joshua’s future. The once-dominant heavyweight was now looking at his first significant loss in years, and the road back to the top seemed daunting. “I don’t know where he goes from here,” Bisping said. “It’s a tough pill to swallow when you get battered like that in front of 96,000 people.”

Bisping, known for his no-nonsense approach to analyzing fights, pointed out that Joshua’s mentality would be crucial moving forward. “Mentally, this could be the hardest loss of his career,” he said. “He didn’t just get beaten; he got battered. It wasn’t a close fight. It wasn’t a back-and-forth battle. He was dominated.”

At 34 years old, Joshua’s options are now limited. A rematch with Dubois? A potential showdown with Deontay Wilder? Or will he fade from the heavyweight scene entirely? Bisping was clear—if Joshua decides to continue, he’ll need to make drastic changes. “He needs to tighten up his defense, work on his footwork, and, most importantly, he needs to come back with a clear head. If he doesn’t, this could be the end of his career.”

Daniel Dubois’ Big Night

While Joshua’s future remains uncertain, Daniel Dubois’ stock has never been higher. His dominant performance has firmly placed him in the conversation with the best heavyweights in the world, and as Bisping pointed out, “he’s earned his shot at the big names.” With the IBF title now in his possession, Dubois could be next in line for a shot at Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, assuming the December showdown between Fury and Usyk goes ahead.

Bisping was full of praise for Dubois’ performance: “This kid is the real deal. He came to fight. He was aggressive, and he wasn’t afraid to take a punch. That chin, the heart—he’s got it all. And after tonight, I think the world’s going to be talking about Daniel Dubois.”

Final Thoughts

Bisping concluded his instant reaction by saluting both fighters, though it was clear the night belonged to Daniel Dubois. “Joshua has had an incredible career, but tonight he got battered. Whether he comes back or not is up to him, but it’s going to take a hell of a lot of mental strength to bounce back from this. As for Dubois, the world is his oyster. He’s earned his place at the top.”

For Joshua, this loss could be the defining moment of his career. How he recovers, if he chooses to, will shape the next chapter of his journey. For now, the spotlight is on Daniel Dubois, who delivered a performance for the ages. The future of heavyweight boxing looks brighter than ever, with new contenders like Dubois stepping up to the plate.

As Bisping said: “The world’s been shocked tonight. What a fight. What a result.”