Joshua Gets Reported 28-Day Suspension After Dubois KO
Anthony Joshua received a reported 28-day medical suspension after Daniel Dubois stopped him in the fifth round at Wembley on September 21, 2024. The restriction was a temporary recovery period after a knockout, not a disciplinary penalty. Joshua later returned to competition.
The Dubois fight
Dubois dropped Joshua several times before ending the contest with a counter right hand in Round 5. He retained the IBF heavyweight title in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley. Joshua called the result a setback, acknowledged his mistakes and said he intended to keep fighting. The BBC’s fight report records the finish and Joshua’s post-fight comments.
What the suspension meant
The British Boxing Board of Control’s medical officers can impose or extend a boxer’s medical suspension. Contemporary reports said Joshua received the standard 28-day restriction after the stoppage loss. It temporarily prevented a return to the ring while he recovered; it did not determine whether he would retire or dictate who he could fight next. The Board explains its medical officers’ authority, and Boxing Social reported the 28-day period.
Joshua continued his career
Joshua rejected retirement talk after the loss and went on to compete again. In July 2026, he knocked out Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia. That win cleared the way for a proposed heavyweight bout with Tyson Fury. As of October 8, Reuters reported that the planned Fury–Joshua event was set for December 12 in Cardiff, with ring walks expected at 1 a.m. local time. The Reuters report on the Prenga win and its October 8 scheduling update provide the latest status.
The loss in perspective
Dubois’ victory ended Joshua’s bid to become a three-time heavyweight champion that night, but it did not end his career. The 28-day restriction was a short medical measure after the knockout. The more lasting story is what followed: Joshua returned to the ring, while the proposed Fury fight would give the British heavyweight rivals a chance to meet if it proceeds as planned.
Sources and further reporting: BBC Sport: Dubois stops Joshua at Wembley; British Boxing Board of Control: medical officers; Boxing Social: suspension period; Reuters: Joshua’s 2026 return; Reuters: planned Fury–Joshua event schedule.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
