Oleksandr Usyk has once again claimed the title of undisputed heavyweight champion after a dominant performance over Daniel Dubois in their rematch in London.
The 40-year-old Ukrainian fighter not only retained his WBA, WBO, and WBC belts but also added the IBF title, which he never lost, to his collection. The fight took place on July 19, marking a significant step in Usyk’s legendary career.
Usyk Dominates from the Start
The rematch came after their first meeting in 2023, when Usyk defeated Dubois by ninth-round knockout, despite controversy surrounding a low blow that Dubois’ team claimed should have been ruled a knockdown. This time, there was no such controversy as Usyk completely dominated the fight from the opening bell.
Usyk, known for his technical brilliance and footwork, used a sharp jab to control the pace of the fight and expertly countered Dubois’ power punches. From the first round, it was clear that Usyk was the superior fighter, carefully picking apart Dubois and showing his usual mastery in defense.
The Turning Point in Round 5
Dubois tried to make a comeback in the fifth round, landing some solid shots in an attempt to corner Usyk. However, Usyk’s counterpunching was too much.
A devastating shot behind the ear from Usyk sent Dubois to the canvas. Though he managed to beat the count, Dubois was visibly hurt and struggled to regain his balance.
Just moments later, Usyk landed a powerful left hand that sent Dubois crashing to the canvas again. This time, Dubois couldn’t recover in time, and the referee counted him out at 1:52 of Round 5, ending the fight with a spectacular knockout.
Usyk’s Legacy as Undisputed Champion
With the victory, Usyk solidified his place as one of the greats of the sport, having now claimed the undisputed heavyweight championship twice in his career. He first achieved this feat as a cruiserweight and now, at heavyweight, proves that age is no barrier to continued success in the ring.
At 38 years old, Usyk doesn’t see himself slowing down anytime soon. “38 is a young guy, remember,” he said in his post-fight interview. “38 is only the start.”
Reflecting on His Career and Future
When asked about his next move after securing his undisputed status, Usyk hinted that he might take some time off to relax and spend time with his family before thinking about his next opponent. “I want to rest now, but maybe for two or three months,” he said. “Then, I will see what comes next. Maybe Tyson Fury, maybe Anthony Joshua, maybe Derek Chisora.”
However, according to promoter Frank Warren, Usyk’s next opponent could be Joseph Parker, as the WBO has already ordered him to face Parker, who holds the mandatory challenger position. In the meantime, Usyk is not ruling out the possibility of a third fight with Fury for a potential huge payday.
The Undercard: Lawrence Okolie Shines
On the same fight card, Lawrence Okolie secured a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Lerena, winning 30 of 30 rounds on the judges’ scorecards. Okolie, who moved up from cruiserweight after a disappointing loss in May 2023, has bounced back in impressive fashion with three consecutive wins. He remains a strong contender for a future showdown with Usyk, should the heavyweight champion continue his reign at the top.
Full Fight Results
Oleksandr Usyk (c) def. Daniel Dubois via fifth-round knockout
Lawrence Okolie def. Kevin Lerena via unanimous decision (99-91, 100-90, 100-90)
Daniel Lapin def. Lewis Edmondson via majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 96-94)
Solomon Dacres def. Vladyslav Sirenko via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 98-92)
Aadam Hamed def. Ezequiel Gregores via referee decision (40-36)
Lasha Guruli def. James Francis via fifth-round TKO
