Anthony Joshua suspended from boxing after brutal KO defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium

ANTHONY JOSHUA has been banned for 28 days following his knockout defeat to Daniel Dubois.

The two-time world heavyweight champion, 34, was destroyed by his British rival in front of a record crowd at Wembley last weekend.

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AJ was dropped three times before the decisive blow in the fifth round saw him hit the canvas for the final time.

Now the British Boxing Board of Control has handed him a standard 28-day ban.

This is always handed out to British fighters when they suffer an injury loss.

But the suspension will not affect Joshua as he has no plans to fight before the suspension expires on October 19.

He is expected to return in 2025 after the fourth professional defeat of his career.

And Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has revealed he plans to make the rematch between Joshua and Dubois.

The Olympic gold medalist’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed earlier this week which three opponents Joshua could face next.

It comes after AJ insisted on social media that he is not retiring.

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His options will largely depend on the outcome of Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21.

Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn said: “If Fury were to lose, they (AJ and Fury) might both say, ‘Okay, let’s give the crowd one last hurray, two big fights, done’.

“Or, if Fury wins, he can defend against AJ for the unified world heavyweight title and AJ can beat him and become a three-time heavyweight champion. Everything is possible.

“Or we can match Daniel Dubois again.

“Or (he) could fight someone else. Deontay Wilder. I don’t know, it’s not something that’s been discussed yet, but two guys coming off defeats, big punchers, someone has to leave the sport.

“But for me the options are a rematch with Daniel Dubois or waiting to see what happens in Fury against Usyk.”

‘Aren’t you spoiled? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after a brutal fight

DANIEL DUBOIS destroyed Anthony Joshua’s dream of becoming three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.

Joshua was floored FOUR times as Dubois scored an astonishing fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers to retain his IBF title.

AJ, 34, never recovered after being knocked down in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain showdown when a huge Dubois right haymaker caught him flush on the chin.

This is what they said after the fight:

DANIEL DUBOIS

“Aren’t you entertained? I am a gladiator, a warrior to the bitter end. This is the biggest victory of my career. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity and now I want to get to the highest level of this game.

“I’ve been on a rollercoaster and this is my time. I’m not going to stop until I reach my full potential.”

ANTONY JOSHUA

“No matter how damned I am, it is what it is.

“I had a sharp, fast opponent and there were a lot of mistakes on my part. Thanks to my opponent and his team.

“We rolled the dice and came up short. You know I’m screwed, but I’ll stay calm and respect my opponent.”

FRANK WARREN (DUBOIS PROMOTER)

“It was a phenomenal fight, like Hagler versus Hearns.

“A fantastic fight and everyone saw the performance of a champion tonight.

“Daniel has shown his courage and his skills.

“AJ caught him with a shot near the end and I was worried, but what a fantastic, fantastic fight.”

EDDIE HEARN (AJ’S PROMOTER)

“AJ had a huge right hand in the first round and fought heart and soul.

“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth but got greedy and moved on to his right hand and that’s all she wrote.

“I’m sure Anthony will take advantage of the second chance clause.”