Daniel Dubois tried and failed to dethrone Oleksandr Usyk back in 2023.
The pair met in Poland as the 27-year-old Brit stepped up to challenge for the unified heavyweight world titles Usyk had taken from Anthony Joshua. He would retain the belts with a ninth round stoppage, though the bout was not without controversy.
Dubois sent Usyk to the canvas in round five. The shot was immediately ruled to be a low blow, but there are still contrasting opinions as to whether or not it truly was below the belt.
In the time since, Usyk became undisputed champion with a win over Tyson Fury – one he looks to repeat this weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Dubois has picked up three wins. After becoming the first man to defeat both Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic, he was upgraded to IBF World Champion when Usyk vacated the belt. ‘DDD’s first defence was a career-best performance in which he dispatched of Joshua in five rounds.
He now firmly has eyes on the winner of the Usyk vs Fury rematch, and is in town to see it go down. Just days out, Dubois came face to face with Usyk.
In an exchange captured by Box Nation, the two heavyweight champions shook hands as Dubois made his message clear.
“Me and you next.”
Both have their hands full in the coming months. After Usyk looks to do the double on Fury this weekend, Dubois is back out on February 22 to defend his belt against an in-form Joseph Parker.
