WALKING THE WALK
Daniel Dubois highlights how he beat Anthony Joshua before the fight had even started and admits he ‘lit up the place’
Heavyweight champ called it 'perfect'
DANIEL DUBOIS said he claimed victory over Anthony Joshua before their fight had even started.
Dubois dropped AJ four times on the way to a stunning fifth-round knockout in front of a British-record 98,000 fans.
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But the reigning IBF champion actually walked out first - despite being the one defending the belt.
It mattered little as Dubois instead got the last laugh - KOing Joshua after winning the battle of the ring walks.
He said on : "It's not right really for the champion to come out first but at the end of the day, I was in my mindset.
"We had a great ring walk, it was perfect, the whole occasion was just huge, the opportunity, everything.
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"I was just soaking it up. When I was in the ring we lit up the place. That was the best ring walk, don't you think?
"I was all business from the moment I left the dressing room to when I got into the ring.
"Once I was in the ring, it was like 'No looking back now, it is on'."
Joshua, 34, was boxing in his sixth stadium showdown while the stage had never been set higher for Dubois, 27.
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But he said: "I was not going to freeze, I wasn't overawed by the occasion.
"To me, it was like a stroll in the park walking in there, I had to be in the right mindset to go in there and do what I did.
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"It was doing everyone proud, doing my family proud, my dad, my team that is around me.
"I couldn't let them down, I did months and months of training for this and I was in the gym every day, hating what I was doing.
"But I've done it so there are no excuses… I'm always my biggest critic so I look where I can improve on but I'm proud.
"I did myself proud, I believe, all of the fights I've had back to back have been top-level fights and I've come through them so I'm proud of myself."
A rematch is now on the cards after Joshua refused retirement.
His promoter Eddie Hearn claimed there is a rematch clause but opposite number Frank Warren argued they are not obligated for a second fight.
But Dubois remains open, as he added: "Yeah, if that happens down the line then yes. If that happens next then yeah. I want to go for it.
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"I want to do even better next time. I know where I need to improve as well, so as a champion and a fighter I want to prove people wrong every time and that's what we have been doing...
"I think I would, I can do a lot better than that. It was a great showing but next time I believe I'll be more clinical. More sharp, everything."
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