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Dubois’ shove displayed vulnerability, says Oleksandr Usyk
Trainer of heavyweight Daniel Dubois accused Oleksandr Usyk of having “deceived the boxing world” as both fighters faced off in London ahead of this summer’s undisputed title clash.
Regarded as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite, Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round in August 2023 after a controversial body shot, ruled a low blow, temporarily halted the action.
The two are set for a rematch—this time with all four major world titles at stake—at Wembley Stadium on 19 July.
At Tuesday’s press event, Usyk presented Dubois with images apparently depicting the disputed punch falling below the belt, and asked him to autograph them.
“I am disappointed that you would resort to bringing those pictures,” said Dubois’ coach Don Charles.
“You deserved an Oscar for that act. You misled the official, us, and the entire boxing community.”
Usyk, grinning, retorted: “Perhaps you should teach your fighter to land legal punches.”
With the low blow debate dominating proceedings, Usyk, visibly uninterested, abruptly stood up, announcing: “Thank you, everyone. We’re going to training camp. See you.”
The extended staredown ended with Dubois, 27, turning away. There was no repeat of the physicality seen during Monday’s event when Dubois shoved the Ukrainian, aged 38.
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Promoters Frank Warren and Alex Krassyuk waited at the top table for roughly thirty minutes before the fighters appeared.
Dubois, sporting a minimalist tracksuit, bounded onto the stage and greeted Warren with a salute.
In contrast, Usyk playfully high-fived his camp, bowed to the assembled media, and sang a traditional Ukrainian tune.
Wearing a military-style vest, Usyk calmly took his seat, quietly reciting prayers and clutching rosary beads.
It came as little surprise that discussion quickly returned to the controversial punch from almost two years prior.
“From my perspective, that was always an illegal shot. It’s judged by the location of the navel, not the belt line,” Warren argued.
Usyk persisted in his prayers, later placing his head in his hands in apparent boredom, before engaging in a verbal exchange with heavyweight George Fox, son of Don Charles.
The previous day, Usyk suggested to Fox that their teams settle differences in a “street fight.”
Fox, seated at the back of the venue on Tuesday, noted that even a battle-tested Usyk—who has defended Ukraine during the ongoing conflict—may have been unsettled.
Usyk came prepared with photographs for Dubois and Frank Warren to sign
The Ukrainian’s team also handed out a ‘boxing lesson’ leaflet to Dubois and his camp
Usyk will defend his WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC belts, seeking to reclaim the IBF title currently in Dubois’ possession
He became boxing’s first four-belt heavyweight champion after overcoming Tyson Fury in May 2024.
Unbeaten in 23 professional contests, Usyk is a former Olympic gold medallist and undisputed cruiserweight king.
Born in Crimea, Usyk’s pair of victories over Fury have firmly established his status as a generational talent, and potentially one of the sport’s all-time greats.
His technical excellence is renowned, though Dubois vowed to “knock him out.”
Dubois arrives with momentum, following impressive stoppages over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and two-time world champion Anthony Joshua in his last three outings.
“I feel unstoppable. I’m eager and ready. Expect a war. I’ll end the debate for good. I represent boxing’s future,” he commented.
“[Usyk] will be dancing in the ring after I catch him.”
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