Oleksandr Usyk ready for ‘serious’ fight as Daniel Dubois bids to become the new undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk has described Daniel Dubois as a “serious” challenge ahead of their heavyweight rematch on July 19.
The Ukrainian, 38, was the undisputed world champion until he vacated the IBF belt.
Greenwich’s Dubois, who won the IBF interim world title with an eighth-round stoppage of Filip Hrgovic in June 2024 was then elevated to that governing body’s main champion.
The South Londoner’s first defence of his strap was impressive – and explosive – as he easily and confidently blew away Anthony Joshua in September.
Dubois has produced three straight victories since he was defeated by Usyk in Wroclaw, Poland in August 2023.
There was controversy in that bout as Usyk went down from a body shot which was deemed to be low by the official, who then allowed him a spell to recover.
Usyk went on to halt Dubois in the ninth.
Now the pair get ready to do it all again at Wembley Stadium this summer.
Asked if he was surprised that Dubois wanted to run it back, Usyk told 5 Live Boxing: “No. It is no surprise because I know a lot of people want to box for the belts. I have three. I had four, but one belt I gave to Dubois to look after – now I want it back.
“Dubois is a very serious opponent. It is a dangerous fight against a hard puncher. For me it is all serious.”
Usyk was quizzed on the punch which was ruled illegal in their first encounter. He said: “I won. That is what matters. A lot of people said it was a clean punch or dirty. I don’t know – it was in the past and I live in the present.
“I don’t know what will happen in the fight. Well, maybe a little…I win.”
Dubois’ stock has never been higher although he has been inactive since destroying Joshua.
He had been due to face Joseph Parker in February but withdrew late on due to a viral infection.
Dubois cites the reverse to Usyk as a key point in his career.
“It changed me,” he said. “It helped me grow and look into myself.
“Everything came from that – the Jarell Miller fight, the Hrgovic fight and the Joshua fight. That (the loss to Usyk) was the type of pain I needed to spur me on.
“I needed a lesson. I guess that is how god works.”
Dubois is convinced that Usyk is in for a far more uncomfortable evening this time around.
“I’m going to do everything I didn’t do last time – in terms of landing bombs,” said Dubois.
“He didn’t really get touched properly by me – he got away from it. This time I’m going to make sure I put him to sleep. I will make it a bloodbath. I need to become a horrible guy in that ring.”
PICTURE: ALAMY
