Daniel Dubois gets a second shot at Oleksandr Usyk on July 19 at Wembley Stadium. The heavyweight rematch will see 70,000 fans pack in to watch Dubois try to grab the IBF belt and become the first British fighter to unify all four major heavyweight titles.
Their first fight ended in controversy. Dubois lost after a disputed low-blow ruling, but he's bounced back and now chases greatness. The younger challenger (by nearly 11 years) brings power and knockout ability to the ring. He's on a roll, despite a recent knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in a fight that was touch and go until AJ landed the decisive shot.
Usyk, the defending champion at 38-39 years old, is known as a technical master with superior footwork and ring IQ. But questions linger about his stamina after grueling contests with Tyson Fury.
John Fury, father of heavyweight champion Tyson, likes Dubois' chances. He told reporters:
"He [Daniel Dubois] has every chance of it. You know, the man's 38, 39 years old. He's a big banger and he's on a roll himself, isn't he, Dubois?"
Barry McGuigan, the former featherweight world champion, favors Usyk over 12 rounds but acknowledges Dubois' knockout threat. He said, "If Usyk gets hit clean by Dubois, the fight is over." McGuigan believes a Dubois knockout win would be the greatest victory in boxing.
The narrative has shifted since their first encounter. Usyk was seen as the clear technical favorite, but now there's talk about his stamina and the impact of the age difference. Dubois has shown renewed energy in training and his attitude has impressed veterans like McGuigan.
For Dubois, this fight offers a chance to cement his place in British boxing history and rewrite the narrative of his career. For the heavyweight division, it could mark the beginning of a new era.
The stakes couldn't be higher as these two step into the ring at Wembley. Will Usyk's technical mastery prevail, or will Dubois' power and youth spring the upset? We'll find out on July 19.
