In the scorching desert heat of Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, Britain’s Daniel Dubois punched his way back into elite heavyweight contention with a thunderous eighth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Filip Hrgovic. The battle, which carried high stakes as part of the Queensberry vs. Matchroom “5 vs 5” showdown, also awarded Dubois the IBF interim heavyweight title — and possibly more, should current unified champion Oleksandr Usyk vacate.

Referee John Latham halted the contest just 57 seconds into Round 8 following ringside medical advice, as Hrgovic’s face streamed blood from multiple cuts sustained under the relentless onslaught. What began as a clash between youth and experience quickly turned into a war of attrition, one Dubois refused to lose.

The 26-year-old Londoner, now 22-2 (21 KOs), entered the bout as a man with much to prove. Dismissed by many following his 2020 loss to Joe Joyce and a controversial stoppage against Usyk last year, Dubois was seen as a flawed force with puncher’s power but fragile resolve. But from the opening bell, he fought like a man possessed — pressing forward, absorbing punishment, and returning fire with spite.

Croatia’s Hrgovic, 31, started strong. His right hand found Dubois early and often in the first few rounds, but the Brit never retreated. Instead, Dubois answered back with heavy hooks and well-timed counters, gradually breaking through the Croatian’s defense. By the fifth, it was Hrgovic’s face showing the wear — a gaping gash opened by a pinpoint right hand shifted momentum firmly in Dubois’ favor.

By Round 7, Dubois had turned the bout into a clinic in sustained violence. His combinations were landing with increasing regularity, and Hrgovic, though still standing, was visibly deteriorating. The ringside doctor had seen enough less than a minute into the eighth, and the referee called a halt to the contest, giving Dubois the biggest win of his career.

The victory crowned Queensberry’s clean sweep over Matchroom in the high-profile 5 vs 5 tournament, earning promoter Frank Warren bragging rights and a $3 million prize. But for Dubois, the real reward was redemption — and potentially, a future crack at full world honours.