It’s finally here, fight fans: the heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London. But this time, it’s for all the belts and the title of undisputed heavyweight champion. If Dubois wins, he will become Britain’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999.

It was heavyweight boxing that ignited my love for combat sports, thanks to my dad, Mike. He talked my mum into letting me stay up to watch Bruno vs. Lewis in Cardiff in 1993, and, as they say, the rest is history. So, not only is my dad awesome for being a great dad, but it’s also thanks to him that I work in combat sports! We will be watching this clash on Saturday together, 32 years after we sat down to see Lewis beat Bruno in ’93. Thanks, Dad!

(Credit to @Dosbrak for the artwork.)

USYK VS. DUBOIS 2 – Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship

Let’s get the obvious talking point out of the way in this fight: Was it a low blow or not in their first fight? Not for me. I thought it was right on the line, so therefore legal. But I’m not the ref, so it doesn’t really matter what we all thought back in August 2023. If anything, it just adds to the intrigue of this second fight.

Usyk is arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time in my book. Bar possibly Joseph Parker, Usyk has beaten everyone of note in the heavyweight division, at least in this generation. He schooled AJ twice and put a beating on Tyson Fury twice. We now get his second meeting with Dubois, and barring a punch from the gods, I see Usyk beating him a second time here. He’s just too good in every single department, and he won’t make the mistake of leaving himself open to body shots from DD this time around. Usyk holds a record of 23 fights, 23 wins, with 14 knockouts. One of those knockouts was against Dubois, whom he took out in 9 rounds back in 2023.

Daniel Dubois is arguably one of the most improved fighters in the last two years. Following his defeat to Usyk, he has reeled off three straight wins, all by knockout. He has taken out Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and, most impressively, Anthony Joshua last time out at Wembley Stadium—the same venue that will host this Saturday’s clash. So, will home advantage count for Dubois? History doesn’t suggest so. Usyk has been a road warrior his entire career. He unified the cruiserweight division in places like Russia and Latvia and beat AJ and Fury fighting away from home in London and Saudi Arabia.

What Dubois needs to do is play to his strengths, and that’s his power. I’d like to see him come out swinging from the first bell and almost view it as a four-round fight because the longer this goes, the more it suits the Ukrainian. In Dubois’s 22 wins, 21 have come by knockout. If he’s going to get this done, it’ll have to be by knockout. Dubois doesn’t possess the stamina or technical skills to go 12 rounds and win a decision. So, come out firing and go for the kill. This is the heavyweight division, after all, and that’s what it’s all about!

UNDERCARD FIGHTS :

• Lawrence Okolie v Kevin Lerena – heavyweight

• Daniel Lapin v Lewis Edmondson – light-heavyweight

• Aadam Hamed v Ezequiel Gregores – light-welterweight

• Lasha Guruli v James Francis – light-welterweight

• Vladyslav Sirenko v Solomon Dacres – heavyweight

Enjoy the violence.
Phil.

Phillip Dean

Phillip Dean is a seasoned combat sports journalist from England, with over 27 years of ringside experience. Phillip delivers engaging, in-depth reporting on the world of combat sports.