What happened?
Dubois had previously stopped 14 of his 15 defeated opponents and was the bookmakers’ favourite to win the fight and move into the world title picture. But he struggled to make his power count against Joyce, who boxed superbly well behind his jab at Westminster’s Church House.
Dubois’ left eye was badly swollen by the middle rounds, eventually closing altogether.
And in the 10th another accurate jab on Dubois’ injured eye saw the 23-year-old dramatically sink to the canvas on one knee.
How severe is the injury?
Dubois was immediately transported to Moorfields Eye Hospital after the fight and The Athletic understands he suffered a broken orbital socket and nerve damage to his left eye.
“He caught me with another jab to the eye. I could hardly see out of it,” Dubois said after the fight. “I can’t explain it. I’m a tough guy and I will come again.”
However, former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton later accused Dubois of “quitting”.
The injury is similar to the one suffered by fellow British fighter Kell Brook in successive defeats by Gennadiy Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr.
What happens next?
Joyce won the British, European and Commonwealth titles by beating Dubois and moves into contention for a world title shot in 2021.
There was no rematch clause in the contract for the fight and The Athletic understands Joyce’s team are cool on the idea at present.
Promoter Frank Warren has meanwhile said he would like to see the two men fight again a few fights down the line, and would like to see Dubois return to the ring in March or April, depending on the severity of his eye injury.
What else do I need to know?
To discuss Joyce’s brutally efficient victory over Dubois, Go Deeper below.
(Photo: By Julian Finney via Getty Images)
