Daniel Dubois was stopped in the 10th round after sinking to a knee following a punishing jab from Joe Joyce; Dubois' badly swollen eye has since been confirmed as a fractured eye socket and the fighter also sustained nerve damage
Sunday 29 November 2020 18:51, UK
Dainel Dubois suffered a fractured eye socket in his stoppage defeat against Joe Joyce, promoter Frank Warren has confirmed.
British heavyweight Dubois sank to a knee following a jab from compatriot Joyce in the 10th round of their clash on Saturday.
When Dubois rose to his feet, the referee immediately called the bout off and the prognosis is that he has sustained a fractured orbital bone and nerve damage.
"Daniel Dubois will be back," Warren wrote on Twitter. "He is still only 23 and has a huge and successful career ahead of him. He took a risk, and this time it didn't come off.
"Full credit for fighting his heart out as long as he did with a fractured orbital bone and nerve damage around his eye."
It was the experience of Olympic silver medallist Joyce that ultimately overpowered 23-year-old Dubois, after their fight which had the British, European and Commonwealth titles at stake.
Dubois had previously registered an impressive 14 knockouts in 15 victories but he was kept at bay by Joyce and eventually wilted.
Underdog Joyce, 12 years Dubois' senior at 35, is now unbeaten in 12 with 11 stoppages.
Joyce went home with the British, European and Commonwealth titles but, more crucially, boosted his world title ambitions.
Dubois had been ranked at No 2 with WBO, the governing body that recognises Oleksandr Usyk as the mandatory challenger to the belt held by Anthony Joshua.
Joshua will defend his IBF, WBA and WBO titles against Kubrat Pulev on December 12, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
