Contrary to popular opinion, there is a reason that Daniel Dubois and his team pushed for this fight.
Public reaction to his challenge of unified WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO heavyweight titlist Oleksandr Usyk suggests a one-sided rout in store for the Ukrainian southpaw. That level of doubt is perfectly fine with the current WBA ‘Regular’ heavyweight titlist who is confident that a changing of the guard will take place later this summer.
“Usyk has been a great champion,” Dubois acknowledged during a press conference to formally announce their title consolidation clash. “Everything with a beginning has an end. I’m ready.”
As previously reported by BoxingScene.com, Usyk-Dubois will headline an August 26 TNT Sports Pay-Per-View event from Tarczynski Arena Wroclaw. Usky’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk of K2 Promotions-Ukraine, won the rights to the fight after submitting a massive bid of $8,057,000 to bring the fight to Poland.
Usyk—who won and defended the titles in back-to-back wins over Anthony Joshua (25-3, 22KOs—is currently listed as a -1000 favorite according to bet365. Dubois (19-1, 18KOs) is viewed by the same sportsbook as a +600 underdog as he aims to upgrade the WBA ‘Regular’ title he won in a sixth-round knockout of Trevor Bryan last June 11 in Hollywood, Florida.
There are several contributing factors as to why many feel Usyk (20-0, 13KOs)—a 2012 Olympic Gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight king—will have his way with London’s Dubois in his second unified heavyweight title defense. Aside from the naysayers who suggest a gulf in talent between the two, there are others who express concern over Dubois having fully healed from a previously torn ACL in his left knee suffered in his most recent win.
Dubois was down three times in a disastrous opening round versus Kevin Lerena, whom he stopped in the third round of his title defense December 3 in North London. It was revealed in between the first and second round that he suffered a knee injury and subsequently confirmed to have been a torn ACL.
“The knee’s fine. That’s all cleared up,” insisted Dubois, who will train with Don Charles for his shot at the unified crown. “I’m in training camp. I’m grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m ready to take it with both hands. This has been a long time coming for me. I’m ready to take it on.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox