One of the UK’s top trainers could see the writing was on the wall for the former unified heavyweight champion.
At the end of round four Anthony Joshua returned to his corner and received some advice that some believe actually led to his downfall.
His trainer Ben Davison said: ‘If there’s a bit of a lull, in behind that double jab, bring it up. Roll the dice. He’ll duck under the right hand, lift it yeah. Roll the dice.’
Shane McGuigan who was covering the fight for for BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday night knows Daniel Dubois well having trained him until the heavyweight switched to Don Charles before his clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
“I think that’s dangerous advice there to be honest,” McGuigan explained in the moments before the knock-out blow was delivered.
“Getting him to bring it up there off the double jab, Daniel will go for that right-hand straight off that double jab. By bringing it up he means an uppercut, he’s going to walk himself straight on to his right hand. If you ask me, I’d say keep your hands up tight, get through these next two rounds. And then use your athleticism down the stretch.”
McGuigan was absolutely spot on with his assessment as in the very next round Joshua was laid flat out after launching an uppercut and being countered with a short right-hand.
