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Aye, in the end Joshua went in there and took a lot of big shots that could have ended in Joshua being seriously hurt and so you don't want to be too critical. I agree with others in that Joshua looked nervous just before the fight started, like he had serious doubts and he knew all about Dubois' power. It could be that he watched Dubois' last two fights when Dubois looked like a different man, he looked full of grit and determination and like a man fighting for his self-respect after previous fights where he buckled and caved in. Add that change in mindset to his power and that's a dangerous combination. Dubois looked like a menace last night, aided by learning to use his jab to create opportunities. At 27 years old, he looks like he now has a blueprint to go onto better things.

As for Joshua, he'll be able to look back and say he achieved things that most others don't, although I think he's benefitted from a pretty poor heavyweight division. I don't think he would have lived with the likes of Riddick Bowe, never mind the likes of Lewis, but he's demonstrated he could deal with a few just about world level fighters when taken over the course of history (and a veteran who clearly was world level). If he's sensible he'll call it a day and enjoy his wealth while his health is in tact. Surely a rematch with this version of Dubois is a risk to his health that isn't worth taking.

I don't take issue with people legitimately criticising boxers just because they do a risky job tbh, as long as they're not calling them cowards etc.

I just find that for all AJs limitations, people just seem desperate to go over the top about how 'bad' he is because they don't like him. Yes, head to head in their prime Fury almost certainly would've stood him on his head, however in what has otherwise been a fairly meh transitional era until the Saudi money forced some action, he's beaten everybody he fought aside from Usyk and DDD. I look forward to the mental gymnastics from some when they want to give Dubois massive credit for beating somebody they consider to be a shite hypejob who didn't beat any legitimate opponents.
 
I don't take issue with people legitimately criticising boxers just because they do a risky job tbh, as long as they're not calling them cowards etc.

I just find that for all AJs limitations, people just seem desperate to go over the top about how 'bad' he is because they don't like him. Yes, head to head in their prime Fury almost certainly would've stood him on his head, however in what has otherwise been a fairly meh transitional era until the Saudi money forced some action, he's beaten everybody he fought aside from Usyk and DDD. I look forward to the mental gymnastics from some when they want to give Dubois massive credit for beating somebody they consider to be a shite hypejob who didn't beat any legitimate opponents.
I thought the criticism of dubois after the Joyce fight was unfair. He had a broken eye socket.
 
Think he needs to retire now as there's no coming back from that
I know I’m going down the route of being an armchair psychologist/doctor, but I feel like there’s been some worrying signs. The post-Usyk fight drama, the sluggishness in this fight and the whole getting knocked down then patting his chest, he looks like his mind isn’t wired up to his body
 
I look forward to the mental gymnastics from some when they want to give Dubois massive credit for beating somebody they consider to be a shite hypejob who didn't beat any legitimate opponents.

The credit for Dubois is in going away, taking a looking at himself and improving both in mindset and quality.

The best example of that contrast between the two fighters last night, and Dubois' improvement, was the knock out. Joshua caught him and rather than buckle, Dubois dealt with it, waited for the moment and timed Joshua beautifully (aided by Joshua looking to uppercut with his hand almost touching the floor and so begging to be hit). Joshua, on the other hand, couldn't keep himself and his boxing together when caught.

'Deserves a lot of credit Dubois, including his last two fights where he looked like a different man mentally. Last night's version of Dubois would be trouble for anybody: he looked like a horrible, menace.
 
I thought the criticism of dubois after the Joyce fight was unfair. He had a broken eye socket.
Considering Dubois' lack of amateur experience at senior level going from the likes of Kevin Johnson, Tom Little and Nathan Gorman to Joyce was a ludicrously big step up.

Indicative of just how highly Warren rated him from the off tbf and even though Dubois has had a couple of setbacks along the way he's proven Warren to be absolutely right.
 
He was saved by the bell in the 1st round. Another 30 seconds and it was over.

That 5th round could of went either way. He has a massive punch. But he never seemed to recover form that 1st round knockdown.

I'd be surprised if he fights for a title again after that.
 
I thought the criticism of dubois after the Joyce fight was unfair. He had a broken eye socket.

I agree. After that fight I said I thought Dubois would still go further than Joyce.
The credit for Dubois is in going away, taking a looking at himself and improving both in mindset and quality.

He deserves credit for coming back with a seemingly stronger mindset and much better technically. But if people want to insist Joshua is shit, they can't make that big of a deal out of the win.

What makes it a very good win in most fan's eyes is taking what you've mentioned it and applying it against one of the top heavyweights of the past decade. Not just doing what you've mentioned against some 'meh' hypejob who was never any good
 
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Considering Dubois' lack of amateur experience at senior level going from the likes of Kevin Johnson, Tom Little and Nathan Gorman to Joyce was a ludicrously big step up.

Indicative of just how highly Warren rated him from the off tbf and even though Dubois has had a couple of setbacks along the way he's proven Warren to be absolutely right.
Never doubted the lad for a moment. He's clumsy no doubt but he was spot on last night. More work on his defensive technique and he'll be a monster. Can't hit him and when you do he can take it.
 
Think AJ will fight Fury or Wilder next for one last huge pay day. He’ll go nowhere near the rematch thankfully.

He should retire though, doesn’t need to take any more brain damage. Eddie will be whispering in his ear telling him not too though the slimey prick.
 
Think AJ will fight Fury or Wilder next for one last huge pay day. He’ll go nowhere near the rematch thankfully.

He should retire though, doesn’t need to take any more brain damage. Eddie will be whispering in his ear telling him not too though the slimey prick.
Wilder makes more sense but less money
 
Think AJ will fight Fury or Wilder next for one last huge pay day. He’ll go nowhere near the rematch thankfully.

He should retire though, doesn’t need to take any more brain damage. Eddie will be whispering in his ear telling him not too though the slimey prick.
That ship has well and truly sailed.
 
I’ll hold my hands up, I’m no boxing expert. Was AJ shit tonight, not arsed and Dubois got him in an off night? Or was Dubois class and went straight out to knack him?
Great performance from Dubois but AJ making some basic mistakes. He was carrying his chin high and to quote Carl Framptons analysis it looked at times like he was looking over a fence.
 
What makes it a very good win in most fan's eyes is taking what you've mentioned it and applying it against one of the top heavyweights of the past decade. Not just doing what you've mentioned against some 'meh' hypejob who was never any good

I'd say there's a spectrum starting with 'hype job' as you put it and ending with top heavyweight. Where Joshua has been along that spectrum is open to debate. I don't think he's either at the start or the end of that spectrum and he's been aided by a pretty poor heavyweight division. I suppose we'll get an idea at Dubois' next outing: did Dubois look better than he is because Joshua struggles when fighting off the back foot? We'll see.

Either way, I'll look forward to see what Dubois does from here.
 
I think going through adversity with Joyce and usyk has really brought him on.

Think the Miller fight taught him more in that regard.

Usyk fight he ultimately gave up after being outclassed rather than got battered.

Will do him world of good knowing he can overcome that. One of biggest things I thought would hold him back was that he seemed pushed in to the sport rather than an interest he was good at and then decided to make a living from.
 
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I'd say there's a spectrum starting with 'hype job' as you put it and ending with top heavyweight. Where Joshua has been along that spectrum is open to debate. I don't think he's either at the start or the end of that spectrum and he's been aided by a pretty poor heavyweight division. I suppose we'll get an idea at Dubois' next outing: did Dubois look better than he is because Joshua struggles when fighting off the back foot? We'll see.

Either way, I'll look forward to see what Dubois does from here.
For me, Dubois has got his limitations. But when a fighter like him with his Massine punch power is on the march he’s like an unstoppable steam train.

Can’t wait to see what’s next for him.
 

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