The former two-time world champion was bidding to join an elite group of heavyweight fighters when he arrived at Wembley Stadium in pursuit of the latter's IBF title.

But Dubois upset the pre-fight odds with a dominant performance, flooring Joshua multiple times en-route to a fifth-round knockout victory in front of 96,000 fans.

Victory would have set Joshua up for an undisputed bout with either Oleksandr Usyk or Tyson Fury, but Matchroom promoter Hearn now feels he will face Dubois again instead.

"I think he will exercise that rematch clause," Hearn said.  "I think that's a given. He'll need a rest and it's a dangerous fight, [because] this guy is growing in confidence all the time.

"He'll believe he can hurt Dubois, he'll believe he can beat him. But full credit to Daniel Dubois, he deserves all the credit. It was a great performance."

Joshua fought back suggestions that he could retire from the top level of the sport after a fourth career loss, vowing to continue despite defeat.

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