There are just days to go until Daniel Dubois gets a second shot at Oleksandr Usyk.
The first time the pair fought back in August 2023 was a controversial fight that saw the Ukrainian hit the deck after an attempted ‘DDD’ body shot. However, it was ruled to have been landed low so Usyk was allowed time to recover, which he did, and eventually stopped Dubois inside nine rounds.
Since then, the Ukrainian has twice beaten Tyson Fury to become undisputed ruler in a second division, while Dubois has hit peak form and knocked out a trio of top contenders, most recently Anthony Joshua at Wembley back in September 2024.
Speaking to iFLTV, Martin Bakole – who claims he has knocked out both men in sparring, claims denited by the champions – was asked how a prime Dubois gets on against Usyk, who is now nearing 40 years of age.
“Usyk, except me, beats everyone. Deontay Wilder I think is done. Usyk is a boxing man, boxing brain, boxing movement, I don’t think no one will stop him right now expect Martin Bakole.
“I know why I am saying that because I learn boxing from my brother, a southpaw, I know how to stop and cut off the ring. But Daniel Dubois doesn’t.
“I was expecting Usyk to get beat by ‘The Gypsy King’ but I was shocked he beat ‘The Gypsy King’ twice. Joshua is good, tough guy, but he doesn’t know how to cut the ring. Daniel Dubois will never change, he will just keep his style, but Usyk is [better] than him.”
After pulling out of a fight with Joseph Parker in February due to illness, Dubois has not fought since the Joshua win, which could be a factor in his weekend’s rematch for all four of the major world titles.
