At 35 years old, Joshua's attempt to reclaim his status as a three-time world champion ended in a surprising manner, as Dubois knocked him down multiple times in front of a crowd of 98,000 before delivering a decisive right hand in Round 5, resulting in Joshua's fourth career loss.
This defeat sent ripples through the boxing community, leading some analysts to speculate about Joshua's future in the sport. However, Joshua quickly dispelled these concerns by committing to continue his boxing career, with a rematch against Dubois scheduled for February 2024.
In the meantime, promoter Frank Warren has dismissed the possibility of an immediate rematch, stating that Dubois will defend his IBF heavyweight title on February 22 against an opponent yet to be announced, with negotiations for his next fight already underway. Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, is also exploring a potential matchup between Joshua and Tyson Fury, but Lewis believes that a break would be beneficial for Joshua.
“No, I don’t think he should take the rematch. I think he should take a rest for a minute and then come back,” he said in an interview with Box Nation.
When asked whether the world has witnessed the peak of Anthony Joshua's career, ‘The Lion’ affirmed this, recalling the pivotal moment in 2017 when Joshua triumphed over Wladimir Klitschko at the height of his prowess. “It appears so. My finest performance as Anthony Joshua was undoubtedly during the Klitschko match. He fought exceptionally well, recovered from a knockdown, and displayed remarkable determination. So, yes.”
Shifting focus to Dubois, who entered the September bout as the underdog, Lewis expressed high regard for the 27-year-old fighter. “I was very impressed with Dubois. His right hand was particularly striking; I was astonished by his accuracy.
He seemed fully prepared for the challenge, having faced his share of difficulties, and now he’s ready to elevate his game. He demonstrated that against Big Baby Miller; what did he say? ‘I’ll be your Daddy.’ His usual quiet demeanor was overshadowed by a newfound fierceness.
“Even when he confronted Anthony Joshua, asserting, ‘You don’t intimidate me,’ and Joshua reacted with aggression, I believe Daniel emerged victorious in that initial exchange. He has truly evolved as a fighter. I’m genuinely impressed and pleased that he achieved his goal; he aspired to be the heavyweight champion of the world, and that ambition is undeniable.”
As Dubois prepares to defend his title in February, it is anticipated that Joshua will remain inactive until the summer, with his future opponents largely contingent on the results of the forthcoming rematch between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.