This is BIG.
In the context of the 150+ year history of the Heavyweight Championship of the World, the fact that it fills Wembley Stadium, London with some 90,000 spectators, and, as they love to say, it’s “For all the marbles”.
Factor in a worldwide TV audience, albeit the majority through the new phenomena of streaming sites (DAZN in this case) and the purse bids up for grabs, it’s huge.
The ‘Undisputed’ heavyweight clash, the very name upon which the site you’re visiting was chosen, it’s a mouthwatering prospect.
Ukrainian world champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) risks his almost dominant heavyweight status against Britain’s Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs). The latter a Londoner, in his hometown, faces the ‘road warrior’ who because of the military conflict in his own country caused by Russian invasion, has had to hit the road again. This is also the lucrative option and he will be paid heavily wherever he goes.
As the crowning moment of this year’s Riyadh Season the accepted lineal champion Usyk brings the WBC, WBA and WBO world championship belts to the party. Dubois the IBF strap. No splinters of the title will be uncontested on Saturday night. That in itself is a rare luxury and justifies the Saudi investment.
In a final press conference held yesterday in the banqueting suite at Wembley Stadium the fighters came face-to-face for almost the final time before the opening bell. Only today’s weigh-in remains.
‘ Dynamite’ Daniel Dubois (aka DDD) entered the fray with “I’m on a different level now…I’m ready to make history. I’m gonna do a real demolition job and I’m ready for it !”.
Usyk responded “Hello London, I’m happy to be here again because I believe for this – Ukraine”, and gave the victory salute to emphasise on both counts. Asked about his challenge ahead he replied “Every fight is important for me. Now, it’s very important for my country and soldiers who protect my country”. Everyone in attendance listened tentatively and this there could be no denying.
International Boxing Hall-of-Fame promoter and Queensberry Head, Frank Warren, added to the hype, “It’s a historical and phenomenal fight…unbelievable, competitive and great fight”. This is to be confirmed, but the match-up is a sure thing.
It’s a rematch two years on from Usyk controversially beating Dubois in Wroclaw, Poland after being dropped by a borderline body shot and being allowed to recover by the referee temporarily stopping the fight before the Ukrainian rallied again to get a ninth round stoppage.
Since then, Dubois has been nothing short of sensational racking up three consecutive victories against world title challengers, the zenith being his devastating stoppage of fellow Brit Anthony Joshua in the same venue last August.
So what can we expect Saturday ? An older Usyk as his career moves towards its close having beaten all-comers and challengers to win and unify heavyweight titles. A much improved and confident Dubois.
Dubois’ camp headed up by chief trainer Don Charles believe now is his time. Having worked together for two years the Brit is as Charles said “Destined to make the impossible, become the possible”. The twice beaten IBF champion has improved significantly since his first loss to Joe Joyce during COVID lockdown, and considerably since losing to Usyk in Poland.
Frank Warren earlier cited Dubois’ excellent jab which was “understimated”. This is fact, resulting from his graduation from the Team GB centre of excellence and his progress as a pro since. He knows how to box his way in to unleash his ‘dynamite’ power.
Whether this will be enough against the London 2012 Olympic heavyweight gold medallist and undisputed former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion remains to be seen. We expect Usyk’s advancing years, now 38, and Dubois’ youth at 27 to be telling factors in how the fight goes, in possibly an explosive start followed by a cagey middle rounds, with the southpaw Usyk not wanting to fully exchange, but gradually using his elite experience and ring know-how to prevail.
We see Usyk stopping the Brit by round ten, but it will be exciting whilst it lasts. Enjoy !
Newsflash – Weights – Dubois 243.8 lbs, Usyk 227.3 lbs.
The Undisputed 