Daniel Dubois to see specialist over feared nerve damage after fracturing eye socket during defeat to Joe Joyce

Daniel Dubois fractured his eye socket in his defeat to Joe Joyce on Saturday night, and he’s been left with suspected nerve damage.

Joyce has moved closer to a world title opportunity in 2021 after he stopped his British counterpart in the 10th round in the capital.

Dubois has been left badly injured following his defeat to JoyceGetty Images - Getty

After three postponements this year due to the coronavirus pandemic the pair finally squared off at London’s Church House, with Dubois’s British title, Joyce’s Commonwealth crown and the vacant European belt at stake.

Dubois was taken to hospital following his loss with a horrific eye injury clearly visible, and the extent of the injury is still to be determined with nerve damage a real fear.

talkSPORT host Jim White provided an injury update, revealing the planned meeting with a specialist on Monday.

“Following defeat to @JoeJoyceBoxing, been told @DynamiteDubois spent night in hospital – fractured eye socket, suspected nerve damage and he’ll attend specialist Monday,” wrote Jim on Twitter.

Joyce, 35, took all three titles after getting a jab through onto Dubois’s left eye which forced the younger fighter to take a knee early in the 10th, and he failed to answer the referee’s count.

Joyce’s experience and composure shone through as he weathered an early storm from his opponent, who had finished his previous three bouts before the third round.

The discipline and jab of the older man, who won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, proved the difference with Dubois, 23, unable to see out of his left eye by the end of the fight after it was repeatedly targeted.