Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois might face off again in 2025. The heavyweights first fought in August 2023, with Usyk winning by stoppage in the ninth round. But that fight ended with some controversy.
Dubois landed a body shot that the referee called low. Some people watching didn't agree. Since then, both fighters have made big moves in their careers.
Usyk went on to beat Tyson Fury twice. He became the undisputed heavyweight champion in May 2024. Then he kept his WBC, WBA, and WBO belts in a rematch with Fury in December. He gave up the IBF title after that fight.
Dubois, known as 'DDD', has been busy too. He stopped Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. Those wins got him the IBF interim heavyweight title. He then became the full IBF champion. In September 2024, he knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round to defend his title.
Now, Dubois wants another shot at Usyk. He called him out after Usyk's second fight with Fury. Usyk seems open to the idea.
But not everyone thinks a rematch will go differently. Zhilei Zhang, who's had a good run himself with two stoppage wins over Joe Joyce and a knockout of Deontay Wilder, shared his thoughts:
"I think this past one year or two is very fruitful year for Dubois. He made a lot of progress, but in front of Usyk I don't think he'll be fighting very effective against Usyk."
Before any rematch can happen, Dubois has to get past Joseph Parker. They'll fight for Dubois' IBF title in February 2025. Parker beat Zhang in March 2024, so he'll be a tough test.
Dubois still believes he should have won the first fight with Usyk. He'll be keen to prove himself if they meet again. But for now, all eyes are on his upcoming defense against Parker.
