Tony Bellew thinks Anthony Joshua had the ‘wrong approach’ during his devastating knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois.
Joshua was demolished in five rounds by Dubois and was dropped four times throughout the fight.
Dubois proved many boxing fans wrong to retain the IBF Heavyweight Title at Wembley Stadium and secure his status as one of the top fighters in the division.
Coming into the contest, AJ was on a three-fight knockout streak with victories over Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and Francis Ngannou.
Meanwhile, Dubois had two consecutive stoppage wins against Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
Tony Bellew says Anthony Joshua should have been more aggressive against Daniel Dubois
Bellew has explained how Joshua fought too cautiously against Dubois which allowed the champion to dominate the bout.
He told iFL TV: “One guy comes out and lets his hands go immediately. Joshua starts and he’s fencing. He’s trying to box and set it up. It was the wrong approach and he’ll know.
“I hope he walks in the post-fight press conference tonight and says ‘I made a mistake, I want a rematch straight away.’ And he jumps on him. Because Anthony Joshua, when he’s letting his hands go, is the most destructive heavyweight in the world.”
Dubois made the perfect start by nailing Joshua with an overhand right in the first round and scoring a knockdown.
AJ was noticeably hurt from the punch and was saved by the bell.
Thereafter, Joshua’s legs seemed to remain wobbly while Dubois kept coming forward and unloading on his former sparring partner.
Joshua’s most notable success came in the fifth round when he connected with a straight right hand that staggered Dubois.
However, when the former two-time heavyweight champion went for the finish, Dubois countered and sent Joshua down to the mat.
Can Anthony Joshua bounce back from his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois?
Joshua has now suffered four professional defeats, including two by knockout.
At 34 years old he is at the latter stages of his career, yet Joshua has confirmed he will not retire from boxing.
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With the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury taking place in December, it is possible AJ will demand a rematch with Dubois.
However, Joshua cannot afford any more losses if he wants to keep fighting at the elite level.