Daniel Dubois looks to become the first man to beat Oleksandr Usyk in a professional ring, attempting what his countrymen Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua couldn’t achieve.
The 25-year-old has found himself as mandatory WBA challenger for Usyk, and will get a shot at all three of the belts the Ukrainian holds.
He’s bounced back from a sole career loss to Joe Joyce back in 2020 with four straight knockouts, and is looking to cause a heavyweight upset in Wroclaw, Poland on August 26.
He will be the fourth Brit to attempt it in the last five years. Bellew was dispatched by Usyk in the eighth round of a cruiserweight contest before he moved up to heavyweight to beat Derek Chisora by unanimous decision.
He most recently boxed Anthony Joshua over 24 rounds in two fights, beating him both times to win and retain the unified belts.
With those performances fresh on the mind, Dubois’ former trainer, Shane McGuigan spoke to Seconds Out about how this upcoming fight moight be different.
“It’s a more rugged fight. I think it’s more raw.
[Dubois] has one-punch power, I think he’s a harder puncher [than Joshua.] I think he’s more fearless, but more hittable and not as technically sound as [Joshua], and not boxed anywhere near that level.”
A big criticism of ‘AJ’, certainly in the first fight with Usyk, was that he was gun-shy. McGuigan clearly feels that won’t be a worry for Dubois.
Fans will know that attitude can be a double-edged sword, because whilst Usyk may not be a power puncher, he’s an accurate and prolific one.
McGuigan settled on his former charge having a good puncher’s chance, but warning him that if it got into the later rounds the champion will likely take over comfortably.
He will go into the fight under the tutelage of Don Charles having split with McGuigan this year following a reported family dispute. His sister, Caroline Dubois, remains in the gym.