Oleksandr Usyk will make the second defence of his unified heavyweight titles against mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois, next month.
After gaining and retaining the belts from Anthony Joshua, the Ukrainian will fight in the first heavyweight championship action of 2023, with Dubois’ wins over Trevor Bryan and Kevin Lerena making him the man in the opposite corner.
A vast majority of predictions are siding with the belts not to change hands, and a man who has sparred both – American heavyweight, Gerald Washington – says the same.
Speaking to ES News, Washington dismissed the question of who hits harder before making his prediction.
“Who’s harder to hit. It’s not about who hits hard. Everybody’s big and strong, everybody can hit hard. Usyk got everything. Usyk all the way.”
“I see him having his way, I think he can get a late stoppage.”
It would be a real statement from the Ukrainian, who is yet to finish a heavyweight fight inside the distance – although that’s one of the very fews things he’s not shown in the ring.
As for Dubois, many feel that a stoppage is the only chance he has. The 25-year-old boasts 18 knockouts from 19 wins, and will be looking to pin Usyk down, drop him and finish him – something no man has managed.
It’s also a clear step up in competition for the Brit, who has one professional loss against Joe Joyce. Despite that defeat at the top level, Dubois remains confident that, under the guidance of new trainer Don Charles, he can upset the odds.
The fight takes place on August 29 in Wroclaw, Poland, and will be available in the UK via TNT Sports Box Office.