Oleksandr Usyk floored Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of a thrilling contest at Wembley Stadium on Saturday to once again become the undisputed heavyweight boxing world champion. The win saw Usyk reclaim the IBF belt he vacated last year, before a December rematch with Tyson Fury, with Dubois upgraded to champion and then defending the title against compatriot Anthony Joshua last September.
Usyk's technical ability was on full display from the outset as he sidestepped everything thrown his way with deceptive ease and connected repeatedly with his jab, putting on a masterclass in counter-punching. Despite weighing in at a career-heaviest 227.3 pounds on Friday, Usyk floated around the ring with an almost balletic grace and prevented Dubois from making the most of his superior size.
The Ukrainian comfortably outclassed his opponent in three of the first four rounds, but most of the damage was dealt out in a brutal fifth-round beatdown. Usyk sent his opponent to the canvas with an overhand right, before a booming left hand right on the chin dashed Dubois' dreams and brought an end to the bout.
The unification fight was a rematch of one that Dubois lost by a controversial ninth-round knockout in Wroclaw, Poland, in 2023, after Usyk was given time to recover from what the referee ruled was a low blow.
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Usyk's next opponent announced?
Frank Warren has confirmed "it's Joseph Parker's time" when discussing Oleksandr Usyk's next opponent.
Usyk beat Daniel Dubois for a second time on Saturday night at Wembley, producing a brutal fifth-round knockout to retain his WBA, WBC and WBO belts and regain the IBF belt he relinquished just over a year ago.
A brutal left midway through the fifth round brought an end to the bout, which the unbeaten Ukrainian dominated from the first bell.
Asked after the fight who he will face next, Usyk simply replied: "I don't know. I want to rest. I want to go back home to my wife, my family."
Pushed for an answer, Usyk listed off four contenders. He added: "Maybe Tyson Fury?
"Three options, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot say because I want to go back home."
Warren, Dubois' promoter, then confirmed that Parker is the mandatory challenger.
"The WBO have already ordered that he has to make his mandatory defence against Joseph Parker, it's Joseph Parker's time."
Daniel Dubois has been asked for this thoughts.
He tells DAZN: "I have to commend Usyk on the performance. I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from the man. I will be back!
"I was just fighting. I was just trying to fight round by round."
Usyk is asked what’s next. He just wants to “rest.”
When he is pushed for an answer, he says: “Maybe Tyson Fury. Maybe Derek Chisora. Maybe Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joshua Parker.”
Usyk beats Dubois by KO
Usyk drops to his knees, there are tears. He is, again, the undisputed heavyweight world champion!
Usyk vs Dubois 2 - round 5
Dubois is down!
A huge right hits Dubois flush, knocking him off balance and onto his knee. He serves the count but Usyk flies in for the kill. A quick one-two, followed by a big left sends Dubois down to the matt again.
He’s not getting up this time. Lights are out and Usyk wins!
Usyk vs Dubois 2 - round 4
Dubois catches Usyk with a neat uppercut, which causes the Ukrainian to take a step back, his corner are screaming for a follow-up which never comes.
Usyk hits back with a quickfire combo of his own, Dubois takes a big, deep breath and tries to get his opponent in the corner but sees him wriggle away.
Dubois does hit the body, prompting a smirk from Usyk. He’s not fazed.
Usyk vs Dubois 2 - round 3
Dubois shoves Usyk away from him, comes back for more and does land with an overhand right. Huge cheers from the crowd, but Usyk shakes it off.
The game plan to catch Usyk round the back of the head is not bearing fruit yet for Dubois, and that jab from Usyk is finding a gap. Dubois having more success to the body, but it’s not enough.
Usyk vs Dubois 2 - round 2
Usyk is moving beautifully around the ring, Dubois tries to catch him with an overhand right but it only connects with air.
Dubois needs to get his jab involved, it’s been nonexistent so far, but Usyk’s counter catches him flush in the face seconds before the bell.
Usyk vs Dubois 2 - first round
It is deafening in Wembley.
Dubois is caught straight away with that Usyk jab, hits back with a right but the Ukrainian’s footwork does brilliantly to take the sting out of it.
Usyk is gliding around the ring. Dubois gets him in the corner, but he skips out of it and lands a smart left to the face.
Super start from Usyk.
Usyk vs Dubois 2
Right then. Is it a night of redemption for Dubois, or another step towards immortality for Usyk?
For all the marbles.