Don Charles, the trainer of Daniel Dubois, has made a bold statement regarding the highly anticipated clash against Anthony Joshua, suggesting that he believed Dubois had already secured victory even before stepping into the ring. Dubois entered Wembley Stadium as the underdog, but his performance shocked the boxing world as he dropped the heavily favored Joshua four times, leading to a fifth-round stoppage.

Charles pointed to Joshua’s demeanor during the ring walk as a pivotal factor in Dubois’ triumph. He described Joshua as appearing “hypnotized” and disconnected, which instilled confidence in Dubois’ team. “When I looked across the ring, I saw a man who looked like he was in a trance. He looked like he was hypnotized,” Charles remarked.

The trainer observed that Joshua seemed overwhelmed by the event’s magnitude, suggesting that the immense pressure from the record crowd of 96,000 might have affected his mental state. In contrast, Dubois maintained his composure, approaching the fight with a focused mindset akin to that of a “hunter.”

Prominent figures ringside, including pundit Simon Jordan, echoed Charles’ assessment. Jordan noted that the atmosphere appeared to haunt Joshua, while Dubois seized the moment to make a statement. This fight recalls previous instances where Joshua’s mental preparation was scrutinized, such as during his shocking 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. at Madison Square Garden.

As Joshua’s future remains uncertain, discussions about a potential rematch in 2025 are already being circulated by promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren. Meanwhile, Dubois’ significant victory places him in a favorable position for high-profile bouts, possibly against the winner of the upcoming Usyk vs. Fury rematch.

This matchup will undoubtedly be remembered not just for Dubois’ physical prowess but also for the psychological dynamics at play, where Charles firmly believes Joshua was already defeated before the fight even began