Oleksandr Usyk will defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Daniel Dubois on Saturday. The fight will take place in Dubois' home country, adding an extra layer of challenge for the 38-year-old champion.
Usyk's journey to the top of the heavyweight division has been impressive. He's racked up victories against Tony Bellew, Chazz Witherspoon, Derek Chisora, and Anthony Joshua (twice). His most recent triumph came on May 18, 2024, when he beat Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
The Ukrainian boxer isn't taking Dubois lightly. He knows his opponent is dangerous and will have home crowd support. This fight is actually a rematch, with Usyk having beaten Dubois in their previous encounter.
While Usyk focuses on Dubois, rumors of a third fight with Tyson Fury continue to circulate. Fury has said he'd be open to another bout if Usyk wins on Saturday. In a recent interview, Usyk spoke about his respect for Fury:
"He's a great opponent. Tyson Fury, for my opinion, is a special guy. 24 rounds with Tyson Fury. It's like going to space and back."
Usyk's admiration for Fury is clear. He describes the British boxer as having both "head" and "heart", qualities that make him a formidable opponent.
Their previous two fights were contrasting affairs. The first was a close battle, with Fury controlling the early rounds before Usyk turned things around. In their second meeting, Usyk dominated for most of the fight and won convincingly.
A potential third fight might have to wait, though. There's talk of Turki Alalshikh planning a Fury vs. Anthony Joshua bout for 2026. This could push back any trilogy fight between Usyk and Fury.
Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine interviewed Usyk just two days before the Dubois fight, giving fans insight into the champion's mindset.
The heavyweight division's future remains uncertain. No one knows for sure what will happen in the coming months. For now, all eyes are on Usyk as he prepares to face Dubois in a highly anticipated title defense.
