Daniel Dubois’ Determined Warning to Oleksandr Usyk: There is Unfinished Business

Daniel Dubois’ Determined Warning to Oleksandr Usyk: There is Unfinished Business

It has been a year since Daniel Dubois faced Oleksandr Usyk in a world title bout that ended under controversial circumstances, with the Ukrainian emerging victorious by stoppage in the ninth round. Since that defeat, Dubois, now 26, has demonstrated resilience and skill, securing notable victories with TKOs against both Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. As he prepares for a high-profile clash with Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21, Dubois is making it clear that he has unfinished business with Usyk.

 

In an interview with Sky Sports, Dubois expressed his strong desire to address what he perceives as a wrong that needs correcting. He stated, “I need to go in there and right that wrong. There is definitely unfinished business with me and Usyk, and that’s part of my rise. I was in a dark place before and I’m coming into the light, so I need to get that back.”

 

Dubois’ assertion comes in light of Usyk’s potential plans to move back down to cruiserweight. The Ukrainian fighter, who previously dominated the cruiserweight division, has hinted at a possible return to reclaim undisputed status in that weight class. Dubois, however, is focused on settling the score with Usyk before any such move. He added, “He was at cruiserweight before and I’m sure he could come back up, but let’s see how the future plays out.”

 

The situation has further intensified due to Dubois now holding the IBF world title, a belt Usyk relinquished in June. Usyk’s relinquishment of the IBF belt ended his brief reign as the first undisputed heavyweight champion in a quarter of a century, barely a month after he unified the titles. Dubois was subsequently upgraded to world champion status by the IBF, having initially earned interim status with his eighth-round stoppage of Hrgovic in Saudi Arabia.

 

Despite the intricacies of boxing politics, Dubois remains undeterred. He humorously remarked on the delay in receiving the actual IBF world title belt, saying, “We’re waiting – where is it?! But hopefully I’ll get it. But you know what? That’s how Lennox Lewis became champion, and it’s happened before in the past in boxing history. Just to get your name up there as world champion is a great feeling.”

 

Dubois’ win over Hrgovic was particularly significant in demonstrating his ability to rebound and perform under pressure, especially given the criticism he faced following his loss to Usyk. The encouragement from his father and trainer Don Charles played a crucial role in his performance in Riyadh. Reflecting on the experience, Dubois noted, “It was to just keep digging deep. Like my dad was saying from outside the ring, ‘don’t wait, don’t wait!’. Once I start throwing at them, they have to defend. The best form of defence is attack, so I learnt from that fight to attack and attack and keep going.”

 

The presence of his father ringside provided a psychological boost, helping Dubois to overcome a shaky start and find his rhythm. He acknowledged the importance of having a supportive team in his corner, stating, “It’s massive [having dad ringside]. You just need that, to kick you up the backside and get on with it! I started off a bit shaky, but I got into it once the rhythm went. I felt the vibe and I had the right people in my corner, so it was great.”

 

As Dubois prepares for his upcoming fight against Joshua, he understands the stakes involved. Victory over Joshua would not only cement his position as a leading figure in the heavyweight division but also potentially set the stage for a future rematch with Usyk. “It puts me at the top of the tree now [if I beat Joshua],” Dubois remarked. “It does make me the king, for sure.”

 

The looming clash between Dubois and Joshua represents a pivotal moment in Dubois’ career. A win would solidify his status as a world champion and could pave the way for further title unifications and a potential rematch with Usyk, allowing Dubois to finally put right what he felt went wrong in their previous encounter.