Daniel Dubois gets a second crack at Oleksandr Usyk this year, looking to emulate countryman Lennox Lewis in becoming undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Usyk beat Dubois back in 2023 via ninth round stoppage in a fight that he was largely outboxing the Brit. There was, however, controversy in the fifth, when Dubois put the Ukrainian down. The shot was quickly ruled a low blow and Usyk, then unified champion, was given ample time to recover. ‘DDD’s team completely disagree with the ruling, believing it to have been a legal body shot that could have potentially won them the fight.
Usyk has since beaten Tyson Fury to become undisputed champion, gave up the IBF belt to honour the rematch clause and watched as Dubois picked that title up before defending it in emphatic fashion against Anthony Joshua. They now rematch for all the marbles.
Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, the last Brit to become undisputed heavyweight champion, Lewis, backed Dubois to follow in his footsteps come July 19.
“I’m thinking he’s ready. He’s been through the trials and tribulations. He’s the king slayer. He’s got the power. He’s been there before. He was just there, he knocked the guy down, so he knows what he needs to do. It would be great for him to do it, another man from Great Britain.
“It’s not an easy task, but he’s definitely the man that can go through with it. He’s done the work. He’s gone through the pedigree. He’s a certified world champion and I think he has big hopes on doing it. He’s going to do it.”
Addressing the low blow controversy, Lewis said Dubois can use it to his advantage.
“Obviously he’s seen a weakness in the first fight. I believe that there’s a weakness, you gotta attack it. Don’t give him no shortcuts. This fight is everything. I know Daniel’s a pretty determined, focused fighter. He’s going to be ready. This is his dream … My eyes are not too good, but I would say that the ref let Oleksandr Usyk off in that punch.”
Usyk has made it clear that this is his penultimate fight in the sport, with a trilogy against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua on his radar ‘when’ he wins. Dubois – who appeared to lose the will to fight on in the first encounter – will be looking to spoil those plans and hand the elite southpaw his first defeat.
