Skip to content
Home » Joey Dawejko: Charles Martin victim who KO’d Anthony Joshua in sparring

Joey Dawejko: Charles Martin victim who KO’d Anthony Joshua in sparring

  • by
  • 3 min read

American boxer Joey Dawejko has suddenly become the talk of the sport following a now infamous sparring session with Anthony Joshua.

In the wake of WBN revealing Joshua was dropped heavily in sparring, Dawejko, to many, contributed to the former heavyweight champion’s demise.

Dawejko was drafted in for late US training camp alongside Joshua. The Briton was going through final preparations to face Andy Ruiz Jr.

A seven-loss also-ran contender, Dawejko has a similar body-type to Ruiz.

Having lost his last three bouts, Dawejko would have been looked at as somebody who Joshua would not need to weary of. This fact may have negated the need for a head guard (unconfirmed) during rounds.

WBN has learned Joshua was hurt and boasted the scars (protection would have stopped) of the battle at a media gathering soon after. Joshua brushed off the facial damage as nothing, although World Boxing News understands Dawejko caused the injuries.

The Philadelphia can punch, despite his deceptive record. But he has been stopped by ex-Joshua foe Charles Martin.

Boasting a draw with Jarrell Miller as possibly his best result, Dawejko lost to Bryant Jennings, Andrey Fedosov and Sergey Kuzmin of late.

Sworn to secrecy, Dawejko has so far refused to comment on the situation.

In a further twist, WBN has been informed Joshua suffered a ‘secondary concussion’ and maybe should have thought twice about fighting on June 1.

Father Robert wanted the contest called off, although it seems Joshua and his team intended to plow on with the Ruiz encounter.

The rest is now history. Ruiz dropped Joshua four times on his way to a shock triumph at Madison Square Garden.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has denied any notion of Joshua being banged out in preparations. Furthermore, dismissing claims Joshua went through a panic attack in the dressing room.

It was obviously banked on that Joshua would be able to get through Ruiz. This is despite certainly not being one hundred percent.

Something just didn’t look right with the usually calm 29 year-old. All the way through the ring walk and inside the ropes, Joshua looked uneasy as he chewed on his gumshield nervously.

Never has Joshua been so uncomfortable through pre-fight rituals. That night it was highly apparent he would rather be anywhere else than MSG.


INSTINCT

Once the fight began, Joshua had lost his killer instinct. He hopefully attempted to land a shot which would end the fight at any moment.

Trainer Robert McCracken was frantically trying to breathe some life into the Olympic gold medallist. Culminating in Joshua connecting beautifully in the third.

Usually a brilliant and calculated finisher, Joshua let his guard down too much and Ruiz made him pay the ultimate price.

It was the beginning of a very public end. Joshua has a lot of rebuilding to do before the rematch.

JOEY DAWEJKO FORM GUIDE

March 2019 – Sergey Kuzmin L / MD10

October 2018 – Andrey Fedosov L / UD10

April 2018 – Bryant Jennings L / UD10

December 2017 – Kelvin Nunez W / UD8

September 2017 – Demetrius Banks W / TKO3

April 2017 – Rodney Hernandez D – SD8