In a night that will be etched into British boxing folklore, Daniel Dubois turned the heavyweight division on its head with a sensational fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua in front of 96,000 stunned fans at Wembley Stadium.

Dubois, defending his IBF crown, showed no fear as he tore into the two-time world champion from the first bell. While many doubted the 26-year-old’s ability to rise to the moment, it was Joshua who appeared frozen, unable to match the young champion’s energy or fire.

The fight started with an early shock as Dubois, known for his thunderous jab and power shots, floored Joshua with a crushing right hand in the opening round. The former Olympic gold medallist never fully recovered. A steady stream of stiff jabs and punishing hooks from Dubois kept Joshua off balance and on the defensive, preventing the Watford warrior from finding any rhythm.

By the third round, Joshua was once again down on the canvas, as a sharp left from Dubois crumpled him to the ropes. Though the crowd roared in an effort to lift their man, the chants of “AJ” began to fade under the relentless assault.

The fourth saw Joshua attempt to claw his way back, landing a few shots of his own, but it was too little, too late. Dubois, sensing the end was near, kept his composure and waited for the perfect moment to strike.

That moment arrived early in the fifth. After forcing Joshua onto the back foot with pinpoint pressure, Dubois unleashed a devastating counter right hand that detonated on Joshua’s chin. The ex-champion collapsed to the canvas and, despite his best efforts to rise, was counted out by the referee.

With the win, Dubois not only retained his IBF world title but announced himself as a major force in the heavyweight scene. Ringside observers, including current titleholders Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, watched closely — and perhaps with new caution — as “Dynamite” Dubois celebrated the most important victory of his career.

As talk turns to rematch clauses and future title unifications, one thing is certain: Daniel Dubois has arrived as a true wrecking ball in boxing’s most glamorous division.