Frank Warren, promoter for heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois, believes his boxer is landing Oleksandr Usyk at the right time.
Dubois, the mandatory challenger, will challenge Usyk for the WBA, IBO, IBF, WBO heavyweight titles on August 26 in Poland.
Usyk, who became the undisputed beltholder at cruiserweight, is regarded as the second-best heavyweight in the division – after securing back to back decision wins over Anthony Joshua.
Dubois has picked up four wins in a row, all by stoppage, after suffering a knockout loss to Joe Joyce in 2020. That bout was cut short in tenth round after Dubois was unable to continue due to a fractured orbital bone.
Warren is not overly impressed with Usyk’s run in the heavyweight division. He felt Usyk struggled at times with both Joshua and Derek Chisora.
“I look at the fights [Usyk] had at heavyweight. Derek Chisora about 18 months, maybe two years ago springs to mind. For six, seven rounds Chisora gave him a lot of problems. He was there with him, there was nothing in it. They picked Chisora for a reason but look what Tyson did with Chisora and look at that,” Warren explained to Seconds Out.
“His two fights with [Anthony Joshua], AJ weren’t at the races, he was on the back foot all the time. For me, AJ is not the fighter he was. I look at that, I look at [Daniel] and I just know that’s he powerful, he’s got a good jab, he’s faster than people think. If Usyk gets clipped and tastes some of that power it’s gonna be interesting to see how he reacts.
“Usyk hasn’t had a performance that has been a jaw-dropping and dramatic performance. No disrespect, he’s done what he has to do, but I feel Daniel will be in the right place at the right time.”