Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk may have to put an undisputed clash on ice as Derek Chisora has been ordered to face ‘DDD’.
Dubois lost in his first world title shot against Usyk back in 2023, stopped in the ninth round in Poland after he had put the Ukrainian down with a controversial low blow.
He has since built back in fantastic fashion, beating Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic before being elevated to full IBF World Heavyweight Champion and then defending that status with a KO against Anthony Joshua.
Usyk – who had vacated the IBF strap to honour a rematch with Tyson Fury – is undefeated in his campaign and has beaten five heavyweights since moving up to the division in 2019, namely Chazz Witherspoon, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua, Dubois and Fury.
With Chisora now coming off wins against Joe Joyce and Otto Wallin, he has found himself as mandatory challenger to Dubois with the IBF set to officially order the fight next month. He made it clear that the next time he steps through the ropes – his 50th bout – will be his last, and a third career world title shot will be hard to turn down.
With Dubois vs Chisora now a very real possibility, Usyk is well placed to make a prediction. Though he hasn’t yet done so, he has made it clear in the past that ‘Del Boy’ – who he beat by unanimous decision in 2020 – is the hardest hitter he has faced in the ring.
Speaking on the 3 Knockdown Rule podcast, the two-weight undisputed champion said ‘The Gypsy King’ was his toughest test but Chisora’s power was worrying.
“Listen, I have respect for Tyson Fury. A fighter, a great man, but my opponent. Very hard man. Very smart … [Hardest fight] I think yes. Punch? I think no. Derek Chisora. Very tough guy. Derek – right hand, left hand, I’d like block [and say to myself] ‘Oh my God! Oh move Alex, this is dangerous.’”
As for Dubois, Usyk made it clear that he was not impressed by the young man’s power, even despite many heavyweights and sparring partners believing otherwise. In the ring after his 2023 victory, Usyk referenced the low blow when asked if he rated the Brit’s power, saying:
“No, only in my balls.”
How the situation plays out remains to be seen, with Usyk – who has been ordered to face Joseph Parker – and Dubois still having the potential to be granted permission for an undisputed clash ahead of their mandatory defences.
