By: Sean Crose
While many, most, had hoped Oleksandr Usyk would defend his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles against WBC and the next online heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, it simply didn’t. means (though it certainly has to be). Now, instead of fighting for the world’s undisputed heavyweight championship, Usyk will try to take on WBA mandatory Daniel Dubois in a twelfth round that will take place August 26 in Poland . With that said, Dubois legitimately earned his shot. What’s more, it’s at least fun to see that this man won’t have to wait forever to win the title while boxing politics ties itself in knots.
Boasting a 19-1 record, Dubois won all but one of these wins by knockout. Impressive enough, but it also makes the Usyk fight interesting. While Usyk will certainly be prioritized – probably a lot – upon entering, Dubois’s ability to turn off the lights will always put him in jeopardy. As the old adage goes, all it takes is one punch. Dubois was last spotted late last year when he stopped Kevin Lerena in third place. As for Usyk, the Ukrainian hasn’t stepped into the ring since last summer, when he easily defeated former player Anthony Joshua in a one-sided rematch of their previous battle a year earlier. The undefeated Usyk currently holds the 20-0 record.
“He (Usyk) is a great boxer and I have great respect for him, but now is my time,” Dubois is quoted by the newspaper. BBC like saying. “I’m going to shock the world and show everyone how good Daniel Dubois really is.” Usyk brought up the fact that he was happy to fight in Poland. “I’m glad we had the opportunity to host my match in Poland, where I won my first world title seven years ago,” he declared. Usyk also said he was pleased with the Polish people for supporting his war-torn homeland of Ukraine. “I want to thank the Polish people who sincerely helped Ukraine,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of my compatriots have been welcomed by this wonderful country.”
Of course, Usyk still hopes to fight Fury for the title. However, that war may never happen, or – if it does – happen in the future. Bad news for the heavyweight division, but certainly good news for top contender Dubois, who is clearly hoping to shake up the sport by beating Usyk later this summer.
