ALMOST two years on from their previous encounter, Oleskandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are set to run it back, only this time the coveted undisputed heavyweight title is up for grabs.
Usyk, 23-0 (14 KOs), is no stranger to the undisputed throne, one of just three fighters to achieve the feat in two weight-classes during the four-belt era, after the undefeated Ukrainian’s success at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Under the Wembley arch, Usyk can become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion but victory over a fearsome puncher such as Dubois, 22-2 (21 KOs), is far from guaranteed.
When the pair met in Poland in 2023, Usyk dominated the vast majority of the contest and stopped the Briton with a jab during the ninth round, but controversy came in the fifth, when Usyk was floored for almost four minutes.
Referee Luis Pabon ruled the punch to be a low blow and thus he was allowed to recover, but Dubois and his team maintain the legality of the shot and still feel aggrieved by that call.
This weekend, Dubois has the chance to right that perceived wrong and claim vengeance against a generational great, whilst Usyk can make further history to add to his legacy.
Patience
Time and time again we see boxing’s icons find that extra gear during the second half of a contest and pull away on the scorecards, or even force a stoppage, after figuring out their opponent during the earlier stages.
Yet, in this instance, the reigning WBC, WBO & WBA champion has already learnt plenty from his previous meeting with Dubois, and may try to continue with a similar game plan in an attempt to pick up where he left off.
Although, Dubois is at his most dangerous at the beginning of a contest and has only won one of three bouts that have gone beyond eight rounds.
Therefore, Usyk may be better served avoiding the early power of ‘Triple D’ and waiting until the latter stages to capitalize on his less seasoned dance partner.
Footwork
Dubois’ obvious threat is his power and despite Anthony Joshua being well aware of this when they met in September, ‘AJ’ still got dragged into a dog fight and could not resist trading with his fellow Londoner.
Meanwhile, Usyk has twice been able to overcome both Joshua and Tyson Fury with his superior footwork and movement, being a rare heavyweight that can throw punches whilst on the move and thus causing unforeseen issues for elite level contenders.
In those fights, it was also rare to see Usyk backed up onto the ropes or in the corner and he must do the same here, allowing himself to get out of trouble and reduce the likelihood of Dubois landing a fight-altering blow.
Straight Shots
Finally, Usyk’s straight left-hand has proven to be an unavoidable punch for many of his opponents, notably landing it at will in his first clash with Joshua.
Whereas, although operating out of a different stance, Filip Hrgovic memorably landed his backhand against Dubois to the point where it made for uncomfortable viewing last year, before the Greenwich-born knockout artist was able to turn the tide.
On Saturday, Usyk’s feints, and his changing of distance and angles should provide openings to score with the straight-left and this is the punch to watch for, given Jarrell Miller and Anthony Joshua both tried to hook with Dubois and failed.
DANIEL DUBOIS – KEYS TO VICTORY
Start Strong
Last time around, barring a momentary respite brought on by the alleged low blow, Dubois was schooled throughout the nine rounds in the ring that he shared with Usyk, before taking a knee and prompting uncomfortable questions regarding his mentality.
However, in the time that has passed, Dubois has developed his confidence and fearlessness and seems to be a new fighter, unfazed by adversity and environment.
Three straight stoppage wins and a heavyweight title appear to have convinced Dubois of his skills and the self-belief that he has accrued from those triumphs has developed him as much as any training camp.
In the rematch, the 27-year-old can ill-afford to slip into old habits and put Usyk on a pedestal. Instead, this newfound self-belief must bring the new version of Dubois into the ring and a strong, authoritative start is essential to show Usyk that he is in there with a different fighter.
Physicality
In the first fight, Dubois came in at his lowest weight since his fourth professional outing, seemingly knowing that he would need to be on the move against the slick southpaw champion.
Although, Dubois weighed 15 pounds heavier in his career-best beatdown of Joshua back in September and can be expected to weigh similarly here, with intent on adopting a more front-footed approach.
With increased size, Dubois needs to be able to utilize this, dominate the clinches, throw Usyk into corners and bully him from the get-go.
Body Work
There remains a view that one of Usyk’s few chinks in the armour is that he can be hurt to the body, with Dubois’ belief that he caught and hurt him above the groin only adding to this theory.
Rumours of sparring sessions gone wrong against Martin Bakole and amateur footage of Usyk being dropped by an Artur Beterbiev body shot also support this claim but we are yet to truly see a fighter prove its legitimacy in a professional contest.
The IBF titleholder has made no bones of his intentions to target the veteran’s mid-section, and this will be an easier target than his ever-moving head.
Additionally, investing in body work early on in the scrap could later pay dividends and eventually slow down Usyk’s feet, head and hands, allowing Dubois to kick on and hunt for a knockout during the later rounds.
