Dubois opens up on how he plans to topple Usyk in their rematch
Photo: Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will meet in the ring on July 19 (Getty Images)
British boxer Daniel Dubois has shared his plan for the rematch against Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, which will take place this coming Saturday in London. The fighters will meet in the ring for the second time to determine the undisputed world heavyweight champion, reports The Guardian.
To become a legend like Lewis
The Briton, who holds the IBF title, will step into the ring against Usyk, the WBC, WBO, and WBA champion, on July 19 at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London. He is confident that this time he will be able to perform better:
"I'm a different fighter now. There have been real improvements. I'm doing things I've always done, but I'm doing them better."
Dubois said that he is pursuing the goal set for him by his father from the very beginning:
"He always said I would win a world heavyweight championship and then I’d win it outright and become a legend like Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Nigel Benn [from] that era of fighters where there were real fighting men."
Usyk is the best opponent
Usyk became the first undisputed world heavyweight champion of the 21st century by defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024. The last time someone achieved this was in 1999 by Lennox Lewis.
The Ukrainian remains undefeated in the pros: 23 wins since 2013. His boxing is characterized by intelligence, technique, and incredible resilience.
Dubois concedes that Usyk is the best fighter he has faced. "He's done it all, really, hasn't he? I just have to break down whatever he's good at," Dubois admitted.
Ukrainian boxer's vulnerabilities
The first bout between Usyk and Dubois took place in August 2023. In the fifth round, the Brit delivered a shot to the belt line.
The referee did not consider the punch legal and did not count it as a knockdown, even though Usyk remained on the canvas for over four minutes before recovering. The Ukrainian went on to defeat Dubois by stoppage in the ninth round.
Now Dubois believes he has found the Ukrainian boxer's weak spot "to the body, to the head, wherever a shot can land."
Usyk vs. Dubois 2: Key details about the fight
The rematch between Usyk and Dubois at Wembley will draw over 80,000 spectators.
Both opponents will receive record purses for this fight.
Most analysts, including bookmakers, give Usyk a 75-80% chance of winning. The most common predictions are a victory for Usyk by decision or a technical knockout in the second half of the fight (around rounds 8-11).
In the undercard of the main bout, two more Ukrainians—Vladyslav Sirenko and Daniil Lapin—will have their matches.
Earlier, we shared the full schedule of events leading up to the rematch.
