Tony Bellew knows what it’s like to fight Oleksandr Usyk and has given insight into his chances against Daniel Dubois.
Usyk is an imperious boxer who has never lost in the professional ring. The former undisputed cruiserweight champion moved up to heavyweight in 2018 and by 2024 had become undisputed after beating Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to claim all the belts.
He defended them against Fury in a second fight and now rematches Dubois, whom he already beat via ninth round stoppage back in August 2023, albeit after being down with a shot that was, controversially for some, ruled low.
Speaking to Bet365, Bellew had praise for both men ahead of their second fight on July 19 at Wembley Stadium for all four belts.
“Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world. He’s probably the best heavyweight of our era, there is no disputing it anymore. He’s amazing at what he does. Dubois has been amazing. I’ve wrote him off on a number of occasions and he’s come back to prove me wrong.”
He then assessed the chances of Dubois in the rematch.
“You’ve got to give him a shot and he’s in with a chance, but Usyk has already made him quit once so can he make him do it again? [Dubois] is at a stage in his career now where he’s overcome such adversity and he’s the most confident he’s ever been.”
Despite such positive words for ‘DDD’, Bellew can’t see past a Usyk win once more.
“I think he’ll get stopped between rounds eight and 12.”
Speaking to TalkSPORT, Bellew said that when a fighter ‘quits’ once – an accusation sent Dubois’ way after failing to rise for the count in the first fight – it’s not hard to do it again if they are taken to that same ‘dark place.’ He then said he has little doubt Usyk will take the Brit to that place once more.
Whoever comes out on top will immediately have to negotiate terms with WBO mandatory challenger and former champion Joseph Parker, who is a man in form and eagerly awaiting his own shot at glory.
