The downfall of Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night was as conclusive as it was stunning.
AJ (now 28-4) was on the deck four times during a tortuous evening as he was knocked out inside five one-sided rounds by fellow British star Daniel Dubois.
Joshua, a hot favourite to win and become a three-time world heavyweight champion, was on the back foot from the first bell and in truth he never fully recovered from the first heavy knockdown at the end of the opening round.
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The end finally came early in the fifth as he tried to throw an uppercut but walked onto a brutal short right hand by Dubois (22-2) which deposited him on the canvas for the final time. This time there would be no getting up, no beating the count, and no recovery.
Incredibly, the nature of the finish had been predicted in incredibly precise fashion just seconds earlier by top trainer Shane McGuigan – son of legendary fighter Barry. Speaking to the BBC 5 Live radio audience, he voiced serious concerns after listening to the advice given to AJ by his corner after Round 4.
They told their man: “In behind that double jab, bring it up, roll the dice.”
Shane McGuigan on Joshua downfall
A worried McGuigan explained: “I think that’s dangerous advice there to be honest. I mean, getting him to bring it up off the double jab, Daniel goes at that right hand straight off that double jab. And by bringing it up, he means an uppercut. He’s gonna walk himself onto a short right hand.
“If you asked me, I’d say ‘keep your hands up tight, get through these next two rounds and then use your athleticism late down the stretch’.”
READ MORE: Anthony Joshua IGNORED Eddie Hearn advice after shocking Dubois defeat
Astonishingly, that chilling prediction from Shane would become reality within a minute of the fifth round starting, as Joshua did indeed walk right onto that short Dubois right hand as he tried to throw an uppercut of his own.
It was an incredible evening with incredible drama. And this was incredible, elite punditry to match.
