'Punch the back of the head, slow down him' - David Haye Suggests a Strategy to Dubois for a Win in Usyk vs Dubois Match
David Haye, a former boxer familiar with facing towering challenges in the heavyweight division, has shared some unorthodox tips for Usyk vs Dubois match. Haye had once outmaneuvered Nikolai Valuev, a huge 7ft Russian boxer, in 2009 to clinch the WBA heavyweight title. He smartly navigated inside Valuev’s long reach, landed precise blows, and safely distanced himself, eventually winning the match after 12 rounds. Despite this strategy, Haye suggests a different approach to Dubois for Usyk vs Dubois. In a chat with TalkSport Boxing, Haye acknowledged Dubois' strengths, highlighting his youth, power, and freshness. However, he cautioned Dubois against engaging in a traditional boxing bout with Usyk. Referring to Anthony Joshua's past encounters with Usyk, Haye remarked that a technical duel would probably favor Usyk. Instead, Haye believes Dubois should take a page from Derek Chisora's playbook when he faced Usyk. He suggests Dubois should capitalize on his size and durability, getting close to Usyk and avoiding long-range exchanges in the Usyk vs Dubois bout. Haye even suggests that Dubois should employ some borderline tactics to wear Usyk down, including hitting areas like the back of the head.
“If you try and have a slick boxing match with him as Anthony Joshua did on two occasions, you’re going to come off second best. “Use his size, his good chin, get close, don’t play the long-range game. Punch the back of the head, get into the kidneys, slow down Usyk so once there is a break in the action Usyk’s are slower.”While it might be a risky strategy, Haye feels that Dubois might need to push the envelope a bit, perhaps even to the point of having a point deducted for his aggressive style. He emphasized that Dubois needs to be extremely assertive and keep the pressure up with a flurry of punches.
“Just don’t get in the Usyk zone. Get close, get physical early. If he doesn’t have a point deducted for infringing the rules at some point, I’m talking rabbit shots to the back of the head, he’s got to act as though his life depended on it. Get you there, make this very rough very tough and throw clusters of punches.”With the odds not in Dubois' favor for the upcoming Usyk vs Dubois match in Poland, Haye's unconventional advice might be a strategy worth considering.
