Daniel Dubois has vowed to come back and “prove the doubters wrong” after his shock first professional defeat on Saturday night.
‘Dynamite’ was 15-0 and a 1/4 betting favourite going into his eagerly-awaited showdown with Joe Joyce.
But things did not go according to plan inside London’s historic Church House in Westminster. The 35-year-old Joyce showed that experience matters. He dealt capably with everything the 23-year-old Dubois could throw at him.
By midway through the fight there was significant swelling around Daniel’s left eye. By Round 10 one more spearing Joyce jab saw Dubois take a knee as he was counted out by referee Ian John Lewis.
Dubois eye injury
It was later revealed that he had suffered a fractured eye socket, and was due to see a specialist about potential nerve damage.
In the immediate aftermath of the bout some experts – notably BT Sport analyst and former world champion Carl Frampton – said they thought Dubois had “quit”.
On Monday the exciting prospect took to social media to update his fans, and send a message to the doubters.
“Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support over the weekend,” he said.
“All my respect to Joe Joyce, he boxed well and won fair and square. I thought I was winning the fight. I tried to fight through the injury but I couldn’t in the end.
Daniel out of hospital
“I’m out of hospital and will wait now for the fracture to heal. I’ll be back to prove my doubters wrong and my fans right.”
While Dubois must now heal and plot his next move as his looks to get back on the ladder to greatness, Joyce has a very different outlook.
He will now assume the #2 spot in the WBO rankings, behind only mandatory contender Oleksandr Usyk.
And Usyk vs Joyce could happen the vacant title should Anthony Joshua give up the belt in favour of an immediate showdown with Tyson Fury.
