Usyk's camp vibes: Raw drills & confidence before Dubois 2
Oleksandr Usyk (photo: Getty Images)
WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk allowed a DAZN streaming crew into his training camp in Gandia, Spain.
Why Gandia?
The location for his preparation was suggested by manager Serhii Lapin two and a half years ago:
"Serhii called: Hey, listen, I found a good place, Spain, Gandia. Good weather, all Europe, good place for training, good beach, good food. Okay, we try. This is good."
Since then, the camp in Gandia has become Usyk's main training base. There, he works with physiologist Kuba Jakubicki, trains with Daniel Lapin, and even finds time for his favorite game, Counter-Strike 2.
New approach to preparation
"Every my new camp, we do new exercises and we do new work," says Usyk.
Jakubicki is responsible not only for the champion's physical shape but also for fatigue monitoring, preventing overtraining, and even cognitive training. Usyk jokingly calls him "a Polish gangster with a crazy brain."
Family, judo, and the philosophy of boxing
Half of Usyk's family lives in Spain, not far from the camp, including his parents and sons, who, according to the boxer, practice judo and are Ukraine's Olympic hopefuls in the sport.
"I love boxing. I don't love training every day. But I love boxing. I like to win. It's a life. It's God's will. My task is just hard work," Oleksandr admitted.
"A lot of high-level sportsmen don't do what I do. Just sparring, just bag, and go home. Not healthy food, no stretching, no recovery, just training, training, training. It's not long. After my career finale, I want to live and live happily," says the champion.
About Dubois
Usyk's team does not diminish Daniel Dubois' accomplishments but emphasizes that in boxing, it's not strength but intelligence and heart that win.
"Daniel's last three fights are good. In boxing, these big arms do not win. Wins come from the head and the heart," noted Serhii Lapin.
Usyk vs. Dubois 2: Key facts about the fight
The fight for the undisputed heavyweight title between Usyk and Dubois will take place on Saturday, July 19, at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London.
Heading into the match, Usyk holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts. The Briton possesses the IBF title, which the Ukrainian boxer voluntarily vacated a year ago.
Most analysts, including bookmakers, estimate Usyk's chances of winning at around 75-80%. The most common predictions suggest a points victory or a technical knockout for Usyk in the second half of the fight (approximately rounds 8-11).
Both fighters will receive record-breaking purses for this bout. In their first encounter, held on August 26, 2023, in Wrocław, Usyk won by technical knockout in the ninth round.
We also wrote about Ukrainian boxers who have fought in the British ring.
