Daniel Dubois tried twice to unseat Oleksandr Usyk. On both occasions he failed, but could the new WBO heavyweight champion finally be ready to defeat the great Ukrainian?
Dubois’ first attempt at Usyk came in 2023 when he challenged the unified champion for the WBA, WBO and IBF belts in Poland. In that fight, Usyk stood up from strikes that were considered below the belt and eventually fooled Dubois into seeing himself knocked out in the ninth round.
Usyk lost his IBF title between his two fights with Tyson Fury. Dubois won that title and knocked out Anthony Joshua in 2024. Buoyed by that success, he took on Usyk again last year. But in that solid fight, Usyk was quicker to take him down and knock the Londoner down in the fifth round.
However, Dubois rebuilt and recaptured the world title after an epic brawl with Fabio Wardley on May 9.
His promoter Frank Warren believes Dubois is now in a better position to beat Usyk.
“I want to see Daniel back with him,” Warren said. sky sports. “He’s grown mentally. Physically he’s there, but mentally he’s grown like this now. I’d like to see that fight again. I’d really like to see it. We’ll see.”
“You know this is going to be a fight as long as it lasts.”
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Daniel Dubois became a two-time world champion after knocking out Fabio Wardley in the 11th round of an incredible heavyweight battle. Match highlights provided by DAZN.
Warren believes the fight with Wardley was a turning point for Dubois. “It was a tough fight, but I truly believe it will bring him more,” he said. “He grew mentally in that fight. He worked on himself. His focus was there and his determination got it done for him.”
Dubois is only 28 years old, but Warren believes he already has a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
“When you look at AJ getting elected, it’s no wonder he’s a two-time world champion. He beat AJ. He did something in AJ that no one else could do,” the promoter said.
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Speaking of Toe2Toe, Andy Clarke and Charlie Edwards are looking forward to a fight between Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven.
Dubois’ team also believes their man is an improved enough fighter to face Usyk for a third time.
“We looked at Daniel and looked at how to maximize his performance both in and out of the ring,” said Mohammed Ali, Head of Boxing Performance Analysis at Dubois. sky sports.
“Usyk, as you know, has a very scientific approach, and his approach was very calm, very collected, and there was a lot going on in the background, but he didn’t say too much.
“It was all about Usyk’s experience with Daniel. The experience he had, that’s what was described that night, that’s the difference in how Usyk handled it.
“But I can guarantee that if there is a third fight, it will be the same approach we saw with Fabio, and a much better approach.”
Don’t miss Chris Billam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki live sky sports June 6th.
