Anthony Joshua's reputation shattered after knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois

Anthony Joshua hit the canvas after being knocked down by Daniel Dubois during their IBF heavyweight title match at Wembley Stadium, London on Sept. 21, 2024. Photo by AFP

Joshua, often referred to as "AJ", hit the canvas four times and suffered a fifth-round knockout loss to Dubois over two weeks ago. The devastating defeat has impacted his chance of reclaiming the heavyweight crown.

Once in the run to join legends like Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis as a three-time world champion, Joshua, now nearly 35, is closer to retirement than ever. His dramatic fall in the latest boxing rankings reflects the challenge he now faces in securing top-tier bouts.

Before the Dubois fight, Joshua was ranked third by The Ring thanks to a streak of four victories. However, following his knockout in front of over 96,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium, London, the British boxer has plummeted to seventh in The Ring ranking, his lowest position in 2024.

Dubois, on the other hand, has surged in the rankings after his impressive win. The 27-year-old, nicknamed "Dynamite", has now climbed to second place on The Ring’s ranking, behind current world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk is set to defend his WBC, WBO, WBA Super, and The Ring titles in a highly anticipated rematch against Tyson Fury this Christmas. The winner of that bout is expected to face Dubois in a potential new classic title unification fight early next year.

On the WBO ranking, Joshua has dropped to sixth, with Usyk remaining the heavyweight champion and Joseph Parker holding the interim title.

Joshua's name has completely disappeared from the WBA ranking, where Usyk remains the heavyweight champion and Dubois has been positioned as a top contender for a future title fight against the Ukrainian champion.