Usyk vs. Dubois 2 Preview

This weekend, the boxing heavyweight division will witness the biggest fight of the year as Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois have their second meeting. 

When they met the first time, back in 2023, Usyk knocked Dubois out in the ninth round of their bout to retain the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, which he had won after beating Anthony Joshua twice.

This time around, they are meeting in an undisputed showdown as the winner walks away with all titles in the heavyweight division.

A year ago, Usyk became the undisputed champion after beating Tyson Fury to add the WBC title to his collection. 

However, he had a very short reign as he had to give up the IBF title about a month later, which fell into Dubois’ lap, as he was the interim champion at that time. Winning this fight will make either man the new undisputed champion, who may enjoy a longer reign. 

Uysk is still undefeated after 23 fights, 7 of those in the heavyweight category. At age 38, The Cat doesn’t feel he’s old, as he said during the press conference ahead of the fight.

Four out of his last five fights have been won by decision, with his only knockout win within that time against Dubois.

If he wins this weekend, he will be a three-time undisputed champion, having once held all titles in the cruiserweight division before making the move to heavyweight.

With two losses in a 24-fight career, Dubois is one of the best fighters of his generation. What’s more impressive about his record is that 21 of his victories have come from a knockout.

His stunning resume includes a fifth-round knockout victory over Anthony Joshua last September. When asked his plans for the fight, he replied he would “bring the chaos and restore order with victory. And that’s what I’ve got to do”. 

A lot has happened since the last time they met. Both fighters have experienced growth in different ways, and there is a lot to prove with this fight. 

For Dubois, a win here will see him follow the steps of fellow Briton Lennox Lewis, one of his favourite fighters, as an undisputed champion.

He also has the chance to hand Usyk his first professional loss, which will serve as the cherry on top of his victory.

In Usyk’s case, a second win over Dubois will serve as the third time he’s defeated a heavyweight boxer twice. It will also put him in a better position to dictate the terms of his next fight, which could be in his home country, Ukraine, as he has said it’s something he wants to happen before he retires. 

Usyk vs. Dubois 2 will take place at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, July 19.