Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his unified world heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois this August if everything goes to plan behind the scenes.
The Ukrainian won the belts from Anthony Joshua, and secured his status with victory in their contracted rematch.
Not long after, he entered negotiations with the division’s other titleholder, Tyson Fury, to stage an undisputed fight that would crown a four-belt champion for the first time in heavyweight history.
Things fell apart, and Usyk was left to fulfil his mandatory obligations should he want to keep his undisputed dream alive. That comes first in the form of Daniel Dubois – the WBA’s Regular champion.
Following an unsuccessful period of negotiations, the fight went to purse bids and was ultimately won by Usyk’s team – K2 Promotions – for around $8 million.
Initially set for August 12 in Wroclaw, Poland, Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, has now told The New Voice of Ukraine that they will push it back by two weeks to move close to his country’s Independence Day, which falls on the Thursday 24th.
“There are many Ukrainians living in Wroclaw. The fight will take place at a 24,000-seat stadium. We had to change the date of the fight from August 12 to August 26, because it is closer to Ukraine’s Independence Day. This is the perfect date to organise a fight with Dubois. We could not waste [this opportunity].”
It will be a chance for Usyk to fight as close to home as he has since 2018 – a Moscow bout with Murat Gassiev – but a true homecoming still evades him given the ongoing conflict with Russia.
In terms of the fight calendar, this move will suit fans. Anthony Joshua is set to fight on August 12, potentially against Dillian Whyte. This also now opens DAZN up to a potential bid to broadcast Usyk’s second world title defence. Dubois’ broadcaster, BT Sport, will likely make a move too.