The heavyweight division witnessed another round of intense discussions and debate following this weekend's fight. Daniel Dubois, despite being perceived as the underdog, stepped into the ring against Oleksandr Usyk with the ambition to upset expectations. The backdrop to this fight was Dubois' 2020 loss to Joe Joyce, where many believed he "quit," overlooking his fractured eye socket and subsequent torn ACL. The match might have ended in Usyk's favor, but the focal point remains the fifth-round event, where Dubois seemed to have scored a knockdown which was not officially recognized. The specific sequence saw Dubois capitalizing on a moment, slipping past an Usyk hook, delivering a powerful punch which landed on Usyk's waistband, resulting in Usyk going down. The referee, Luis Pabon, immediately ruled it a low blow. This decision has become a central point of contention. Post the punch, Usyk took significant time on the canvas, partly voluntarily to recover, and partly because Pabon was insistent. When action finally resumed, it culminated in a ninth-round stoppage in favor of Usyk. Reactions post-fight were divisive. Some commentators and fans argue that Dubois was unfairly deprived of a knockdown. However, suggesting that Dubois was denied a title win might be a stretch. While it's evident that Usyk was on the ground for a duration longer than ten seconds, it's challenging to determine if the decision to stay down was influenced by the referee's call. Former junior middleweight titleholder, Liam Smith, shared his perspective on Twitter, indicating that while Usyk did utilize his recovery time, it remains uncertain if he would have continued if the punch was counted as a legal knockdown. Dubois has experienced both sides of referee decisions. His knockout victory against Kevin Lerena was considered debatable due to the perceived hasty stoppage by the referee. The Dubois-Usyk bout will inevitably join the annals of boxing debates. Despite the official outcome, Dubois has emerged with heightened support. A significant number of fans, fighters, and experts now view him as an uncrowned champion or, at the very least, someone who was deprived of a fair chance at the title. Such disputes, while not conclusive, can amplify a boxer's appeal and bargaining power, especially in a sport driven by public sentiment.

Oleksandr Usyk recently defended his title by halting Daniel Dubois in the ninth round, solidifying his ambitions of becoming an undisputed champion across two divisions. However, the fight was not without controversy. Usyk faced a knockdown in the fifth round from what the referee judged to be a low blow, a point of contention for Dubois' team which they believe justifies another bout. Following this win, Usyk is keen to return to discussions with Tyson Fury, another top contender in the heavyweight category. However, previous attempts to negotiate a bout between the two had failed. Currently, the primary barrier to such a match-up is Filip Hrgovic, an undefeated fighter from Croatia, who stands as the mandatory challenger by the IBF. Kalle Sauerland, Hrgovic's promoter, explained to Boxing Social that although they previously allowed discussions for an Usyk-Fury match to proceed, they now insist on Hrgovic getting his due opportunity. Notably, Hrgovic had been in line for a decisive bout since early 2021, and his team believes they've waited patiently for long enough. In response to Usyk's recent victory over Dubois, Sauerland has approached the IBF, expressing his eagerness to schedule the fight soon, ideally by December. He highlighted that stepping aside doesn't make sense especially since Fury already has a fight planned within the next two months. Team Usyk has not yet commented on these developments.

“Two, three weeks ago now we got letters – us and Usyk – saying that if we won our McKean and they wont he Dubois fight that the negotiations would be ordered immediately from the IBF. Let’s not forget that Hrgovic was confirmed for the final eliminator in February 2021. We’re talking a couple years now, and we didn’t really throw down the book too much when everybody was expecting the Fury-Usyk to get made. We were relatively patient, but now It’s got to Hrgovic’s turn.” “This morning we have written to the IBF to inform them that we are fit, willing and able to enter that bout. There’s no interest on our side to step aside for anything. I don’t know what we’d be stepping aside for, because Tyson’s contracted to fight in seven weeks. This fight should take place in December.”

Tony Bellew didn't hold back when addressing the controversy surrounding the Usyk vs Dubois bout. While Usyk emerged victorious in the ninth round against Dubois, many felt the outcome could have been different had a specific incident been judged differently. The crux of the debate centers on Dubois' attempted body shot in the fifth round. There was a huge amount of controversy over whether Dubois’ attempted body shot in Usyk vs Dubois bout was low or not. After landing the punch, Usyk went down, but the referee ruled it a low blow. Consequently, Usyk was permitted over three minutes to recover and regain his footing in the match. However, Dubois and his camp were confident that the punch was above board. If acknowledged as such, the Usyk vs Dubois fight's conclusion could have swung in Dubois' favor. But Tony Bellew begs to differ. In a tweet, he shared an image illustrating the placement of Usyk’s belt, which sat below his belly button or the "naval." Bellew's accompanying message was clear:

“Anything below the naval is classed as low in boxing!” Bellew said. “That’s not my opinion that’s a FACT! That’s the rules! Your shorts shouldn’t cover your naval cos if they do the belt can be hit! This picture says a thousand words!”

Bellew didn't stop there. He took it a step further by insinuating Dubois gave up during the match. This wasn't the first time such sentiments were directed at Dubois. In a 2020 face-off with Joe Joyce, Dubois was deemed to have "quit" in the tenth round, choosing to take a knee and not beat the count due to a severe orbital injury.

“Spew it once and you’ll spew it again is also another fact!”

Bellew commented, referencing the earlier incident.

"Daniel Dubois should be unified heavyweight champion right now."

This sentiment echoed loudly among TNT analysts, who were firm in their belief that the punch thrown by Dubois, which knocked down Oleksandr Usyk in the Usyk vs Dubois clash, was legitimate and not a low blow as declared by the referee. Throughout the Usyk vs Dubois match, Dubois seemed to struggle, with Usyk displaying superior skills and strategy. However, the dynamics shifted momentarily when Dubois delivered a punch to Usyk's body, causing the reigning champ to hit the canvas. Usyk immediately asserted that the blow was beneath the belt, prompting the referee to grant him the standard five-minute recovery window for such incidents. Usyk, showcasing his southpaw finesse, soon reestablished his dominance and triumphed over Dubois in the ninth round of the Usyk vs Dubois match, retaining his four world titles. TNT's commentator and ex-world champ, Carl Frampton, expressed a contrary view, stating emphatically that the punch was above board.

"When I saw it, it didn't look low to me. That was not a low blow. That was a body shot. He should have been counted out. Daniel Dubois should be unified heavyweight champion right now. I still don’t think it was [a low blow]. He has taken a body shot, he has thought I can get away with pretending this is low. He took a rest because he has been hit by a body-shot."

Richie Woodhall, a former WBC super-middleweight titleholder, too, voiced his disagreement with the call, indicating potential scrutiny towards the referee's decision, especially from Dubois' side.

"It was a borderline shot and there'll be a lot of fingers pointed at the referee tonight, especially from the Dubois camp."

Frank Warren, Dubois' promoter, demanded a rematch, denouncing the declared low blow.

"This is a boxing match and should be above board, but it was not a low blow. It’s a nonsense, a total nonsense. The governing bodies must order a rematch."

Warren also questioned the time Usyk was given to recover and emphasized appealing the decision, hoping for a chance at the title unification that "Everyone wants to see." The Brit’s trainer, Don Charles, was furious, as he watched back the replay and raged: “How is that low? It’s there to be seen, how is that low?! He continued shouting: “How is that low?! Look at it, look at it! Play it again! There! How is that low?! Look at it!”

In a triumphant beginning to his professional career, Aadam Hamed, the son of boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed, secured a first-round victory over Vojtech Hrdy on the Usyk vs Dubois undercard. The young Hamed showcased his power early on, leading to Hrdy, who seemed overwhelmed, retreating to the corner where his coach ultimately decided to throw in the towel. Although it was Hamed's debut in the ring, having no prior amateur or professional experience, he demonstrated remarkable composure. He used a "good solid jab" to push back Hrdy, a boxer who entered the match with a record of three professional fights (standing at 1-3 post-match). Hrdy soon found himself cornered, vulnerable to Hamed's powerful punches. With no sign of fighting back, he was safeguarded by his trainer's quick intervention. It's evident that more challenging bouts lie ahead for Hamed, and while this rapid match didn't reveal much about his skill set, he showed tremendous promise in handling the spotlight. Throughout the preparation and on the match day, Hamed exuded confidence, seemingly unaffected by the magnitude of the event. His demeanor even drew parallels with his father, displaying a similar aura of unwavering self-assurance. Speaking after the contest, he said:

"What a night man, I felt like I put on a performance and it's only going to get bigger and better from here."

When asked about the pressure of carrying his father's name, he added:

"They [the press] are always going to say what they want. I just need to do my best to take no notice and do me. I believe in myself, I believe in my ability, this is just a stepping stone for where I want to get to."

In the Usyk vs Dubois world title clash between British boxer Daniel Dubois and Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, the Usyk vs Dubois fight's outcome has sparked intense debate in the boxing community. The controversy primarily revolves around an incident in round five when Dubois seemed to have significantly hurt Usyk with a body shot. Instead of being counted as a successful hit, the referee ruled it as a low blow, granting Usyk additional time to recover. Many, including Dubois himself, believed the shot was legitimate. Upon watching the replay, it appeared the punch might have landed right on the belt line, challenging the referee's earlier decision.

“I don’t think that was a low blow. I think that landed, and I’ve been cheated out of victory tonight. What else can I say?”

Dubois commented during his post-fight interview, clearly frustrated with the turn of events. Frank Warren, Dubois' promoter, was equally incensed, stating he would appeal the fight's result. In his conversation with talkSPORT, Warren asserted:

“He won that, if he had been allowed to carry on, he would have won. We will appeal this. It’s a liberty.” This sentiment was echoed by Dubois' coach, Don Charles, who felt they were "conned out of that."

The debate over the so-called "low-blow" shot has been the dominant talking point since the fight. When the incident occurred in the fifth round, Usyk seemed to struggle significantly, taking more than three minutes to gather himself and return to the ring. This delay allowed him to regain his rhythm, further igniting the debate over whether the extended recovery period affected the fight's outcome. While Usyk managed to retain his unified WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles, the narrative has been overshadowed by the round five controversy. The overall performance showcased both boxers' skills and resilience, with Dubois displaying significant heart and determination. Despite Usyk’s victory, the low blow debate has left a cloud over the result, fueling discussions and disagreements in the boxing community. As the aftermath unfolds, many await the decision on the appeal and how it might impact future bouts. The controversy ensures that this fight will be remembered not just for the skills displayed in the ring but for the intense debates outside of it.

In Wroclaw, Poland, a dramatic turn of events saw Oleksandr Usyk recovering from an unexpected fifth-round fall to defeat Daniel Dubois by the ninth round in the Usyk vs Dubois bout, preserving his WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF heavyweight titles. Despite the controversy, with referee Luis Pabon considering a right hand to Usyk's body from Dubois as a low blow, many believed the hit was potentially lawful after inspecting replays. Though Dubois didn't face any point deduction for the contentious move, he couldn't fully exploit the situation. By the ninth round, Usyk had regained his momentum, bringing Dubois down with a well-placed right hand. Post-Usyk vs Dubois match, Usyk remarked, "I feel good," expressing his gratitude towards his family, team, and notably, the Ukrainian army. He humorously commented on the sport, saying:

"Boxing is a tough sport but I'm great. I love boxing. I respect my opponent but it's boxing, it's not ballet. Do I rate his power? No. Only in my balls."

Usyk vs Dubois match occurred shortly after Ukraine's Independence Day, resonating deeply with Wroclaw's extensive Ukrainian community, many of whom have sought refuge from the aftermath of Russia's recent invasion. The event was further heightened by a heartfelt video message from Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ending with a poignant “Glory Ukraine.” For Dubois, the environment was challenging, being far from his Greenwich residence. However, he appeared calm, entering the Stadion Wroclaw with Bob Marley's "So Much Things To Say" playing in the background. The atmosphere was electric, with Usyk's entrance almost causing the stadium to reverberate with excitement. The Usyk vs Dubois match began with Usyk slightly overshadowing Dubois, leveraging his skill to evade Dubois' counters and land hits. The game's momentum shifted notably in the fourth and fifth rounds, with the rain affecting Usyk's performance and the debated low blow, which had him down in apparent pain. The subsequent rounds saw both fighters delivering powerful shots, but Usyk's punch in the ninth round sealed Dubois' fate. With this victory, the stage is set for Usyk to potentially confront WBC champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia in the coming year. Usyk Says:

"I’m ready tomorrow. I’m ready. Next fight I am ready to fight Tyson Fury but does Tyson Fury want to? I have no idea. But I can’t wait to see my children and my family. I’m a little bit tired."

Eager to reclaim his position at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division, Deontay Wilder asserts that the division lacks its vibrancy and significance without his presence. Wilder's dominance in the heavyweight realm spanned several years. He initially secured the WBC title through a points victory over Bermane Stiverne in 2015, retaining it until his defeat at the hands of Tyson Fury in their second encounter in 2020, after their initial bout ended in a draw in 2018. During this period, Wilder faced limited challenges, dispatching opponents like Luis Ortiz, Chris Arreola, and Eric Molina with emphatic knockouts. However, his momentum was halted by successive knockout losses to Fury. In his most recent outing, Wilder swiftly secured a first-round knockout triumph against Robert Helenius in October 2022. Since then, discussions have predominantly revolved around a highly anticipated showdown between Wilder and Anthony Joshua, slated for Saudi Arabia in 2024. During an interview with ESNEWS, Wilder confirmed his standing in relation to the winner of the upcoming clash for the WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles between Oleksandr Usyk and mandatory contender Daniel Dubois.

“Yep, I’m definitely the mandatory for that, so all doors are shut. You know, close all sides. I’m the mandatory for the WBA, and I’m the mandatory for the WBC, I’m number two in the IBO and number three in one of the other ones.”

Wilder then expressed his renewed pursuit of championship belts, saying:

“So I mean I’m right there in all the ranking so it’s just a matter of time before me being back on top and having all the belts. I’m just sitting back and relaxing, enjoying life and letting all these other fighters do things because as we know, and this is true fact, the heavyweight division has been fucking dead, bro. Now you don’t feel no electricity at all.”

With the upcoming Usyk vs. Dubois fight this weekend, there's a hopeful anticipation for a fresh and exhilarating chapter to unfold in the heavyweight narrative.

Oleksandr Usyk is gearing up for his second defense of the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Daniel Dubois in Poland tonight. Interestingly, former opponent Derek Chisora has made a bold prediction ahead of this clash. Usyk faced Chisora in only his second heavyweight fight after transitioning from the cruiserweight division, where he had held the undisputed championship. The fight against Chisora was a closely contested affair, with Usyk ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory. However, Usyk recently stirred the pot by suggesting he intentionally made the fight appear more challenging than it was, aiming to entice Anthony Joshua into a title bout. Chisora responded to Usyk's comments during an interview with Boxing King Media. He expressed his puzzlement over Usyk's remarks, highlighting that after their bout, Usyk's team acknowledged Chisora's victory. Despite this discrepancy, Chisora maintains a sporting attitude about the decision.

“I don’t know [what to make of those comments] because when we left the ring the whole Usyk team said that I won the fight, even he knew I won the fight and then they gave it to him, but it’s okay, we don’t mind.”

When asked to provide a prediction for the upcoming Usyk vs. Dubois fight, Chisora refrained from selecting a winner but emphasized one certain outcome: a knockout.

“Somebody is getting knocked out.”

While many observers in the boxing world might not be giving the young British fighter, Dubois, more than a slim chance against the highly skilled two-division champion Usyk, Dubois draws confidence from his impressive knockout record. With 18 knockouts in 19 victories, his punching power is unquestionable, even though he suffered a lone defeat against Joe Joyce in 2020. Notably, there won't be a rematch clause in this fight, as Dubois holds a mandatory challenger status. This implies that the victor will be free to defend their titles against a new contender. Among those contenders, the IBF's top-ranked fighter, Filip Hrgovic, is next in line. Yet, boxing fans are undoubtedly hoping for a showdown between the winner and Tyson Fury, which could potentially pave the way for an undisputed champion in the heavyweight division. Mark your calendars for the Usyk vs. Dubois match on August 26, scheduled to take place at Poland's Tarczynski Arena. The event will be available for live viewing in the UK on TNT Sports pay-per-view.

American heavyweight sensation Jared Anderson is fueled by the skepticism surrounding his recent victory. After outclassing ex-IBF champion Charles Martin in a match that not only marked his first time going a full 10 rounds but also the first time he didn't win by knockout, Anderson felt a wave of criticism. Reeling from what he perceives as "disrespect," Anderson is more motivated than ever. He believes his boxing prowess and reputation played a significant role in the high expectations. Moreover, Anderson is confident in his capabilities, considering himself as one of the rare talents equipped to take on the likes of the unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.

"Somebody asked me what is my biggest motivation? And after that fight, my biggest motivation is disrespect. What people said about me. How they came for my boxing ability, for my name," he told Sky Sports. "Because I don't fight for me, I fight for my last name. I fight for who comes with me and that's like disrespecting my family when you talk about me like that. There's some people who said some hurtful things. "I know words don't hurt people, but I'm one of those people where I don't want anything bad for you, or I won't say anything bad against you, unless you do that to me. "Just to know that people don't honestly know me and to say those things about me is disrespectful and it's motivating me right now." Charles acquitted himself well in that contest. "He actually came to fight. He showed up, he showed out," Anderson said. "He wasn't stationary at all. He moved a lot that fight, he used his legs, even when I was hitting him with good shots, even when I did go to his body. "He did a lot of things to try and negate what I was doing, but I was also on the other hand negating what he had to the best of his ability. I took his best shot well, I caught shots, even after that and did what I was supposed to do in order to win."

Anderson defeated Charles in July. He'll be back in action this weekend against Andrii Rudenko at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"I'm expecting a rugged fight. Somebody who just wants to get in tight and be able to hit me with anything he can," the American said. "I'm sure he's aware that I'm pretty slick and I'll be able to move with my feet, especially move my head, so I'm sure he'll try all his veteran tricks to do it." Anderson believes he has the power to stop Rudenko. "I definitely think I do. I go to the body, not like these other heavyweights. I don't just stay on top and try and hit you on top of your head," he said. "I've seen some people take some dangerous shots to the head and keep coming forward. I plan to go downstairs and see what his bread basket is like."

Daniel Dubois is approaching his forthcoming Usyk vs Dubois bout with a straightforward mindset. At 25, this London-based heavyweight challenger is gearing up for a significant escalation in his competition as he gears up to face the IBF, WBA, WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk on Aug. 26 at Wroclaw Stadium, Poland. Usyk, previously renowned as the undisputed cruiserweight champion, ascended to the heavyweight championship ranks when he bested Anthony Joshua with a unanimous decision in London in September of 2021. The Ukrainian champion then followed this with a subsequent victory over Joshua in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, clinched by a split decision. Following this, there were extensive discussions about Usyk possibly clashing with WBC champion Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title. However, a consensus could not be reached. Instead, Fury is now set to take on former UFC standout and boxing newcomer, Francis Ngannou, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Oct. 28. Despite being perceived as the underdog in Usyk vs Dubois bout, Dubois is aiming to use the consistent progress he's made, evidenced by his four successive wins, especially after his 2020 defeat to fellow British boxer Joe Joyce. The Londoner believes that his physical advantages, combined with his strategy to limit Usyk's movements within the ring, will be pivotal. Recognizing Usyk's agility and speed, Dubois feels the key lies in narrowing down the ring space. He views Usyk's southpaw stance as a mere detail, emphasizing that in the heat of the battle, the main objective remains simple: to land powerful blows. Dubois is confident about his game plan for Usyk vs Dubois fight, focusing on being assertive and deploying the tactics refined during his training. He remains unambiguous about his approach, stating that he aims to consistently target Usyk, underscoring the latter's cruiserweight origins. For Dubois, boxing is a discipline he's embraced throughout his life, and he feels poised for this challenge, considering his experience and age. He intends to bring all his expertise to bear in this match-up.

“I feel like he’s a mover, so we’ve got to cut down the ring,” Dubois said of his strategy against Usyk in an interview with Pro Boxing Fans. “He’s a good mover so that’s the main thing and just fight normally. He’s a southpaw and all that but you’ve got to fight. It’s a fight at the end of the day. So just punch him in the face—his head’s not going to be southpaw, is it? “Yeah, opening up on him [is the plan],” Dubois continued. “Opening up on him, being aggressive. Everything that we’ve worked on in camp, just unleashing it on him. “I just got to land on his little head. Keep landing on his little head, bang him up. He’s a cruiserweight. It’s not complicated for me. It’s boxing, I’ve done this my whole life. This is the right moment for me. I’m 25 now. I’ve been through wars, so I need to be a veteran in this fight.”

Robert Helenius, who was drafted in as a last-minute substitute for Dillian Whyte to face the former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, at the O2, is now embroiled in a doping controversy. This surprising twist emerges after Dillian Whyte himself was pulled from the scheduled bout due to his own drug test irregularities. Details indicate that Helenius underwent a voluntary drug test on 11th August, just a day before his clash with Joshua in London. However, the results, pointing towards the presence of prohibited substances, were relayed to Matchroom Boxing, the agency promoting Joshua, only 13 days after the match was conducted. Matchroom Boxing released a detailed statement in response. "The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) notified both Matchroom and the British Boxing Board of Control about Robert Helenius' irregular test results stemming from a spontaneous doping check. While the test was performed on the eve of his bout against Anthony Joshua on 12th August, the findings were only disclosed to our team today. As staunch supporters of a clean sporting environment and rigorous anti-doping tests, we rely on the decisions of the appropriate authorities for subsequent steps. Our unwavering commitment is to ensure fairness and transparency in the sport." In the much-discussed bout, Anthony Joshua showcased his skills by overcoming Helenius in the seventh round. This victory has possibly set the stage for Joshua to compete against the formidable Deontay Wilder in a much-anticipated showdown. The entire episode has added more layers to the original controversy involving Dillian Whyte. After the revelations against him, Whyte publicly voiced his dismay and is on a mission to vindicate himself. Meanwhile, Helenius has remained silent, refraining from issuing any statements or comments on the recent doping allegations.

Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois have completed their final preparations before their highly anticipated unified heavyweight world title Usyk vs Dubois fight scheduled for this weekend in Wroclaw, Poland. Dubois becomes the fourth British fighter to take on Usyk, following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora, and Anthony Joshua. Joshua, in two attempts, couldn't overcome Usyk, resulting in his loss of the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. These are the very belts Usyk is defending in Poland, while Dubois, a 25-year-old with powerful hits, aims to thwart Usyk's bid for a two-time undisputed champion status. On the weigh-in day before the Usyk vs Dubois, both fighters stepped on the scales, revealing the following weights:

• Usyk: 220.9lbs
• Dubois: 233.2lbs

The weight difference between the two fighters is just under a stone (around 12 pounds). Dubois has maintained a weight around 240lbs since 2017. His weight hasn't been as low as it is now since his bout with Mauricio Barragan in July of that year, which was only his fourth professional fight. He has been lighter than this just once in his career of 20 fights, during his previous world-level match against Joe Joyce in 2020, where he weighed a little over 244lbs. Usyk's weight has gradually increased since he entered the heavyweight division. His weight was 215lbs for his first heavyweight fight against Chazz Witherspoon, then 217lbs against Chisora, and finally 221lbs for both of his fights against Anthony Joshua. Despite moving up in weight, Usyk has managed to maintain his speed and agility, qualities that have perplexed his opponents in his undefeated streak of 19 fights. Some speculate that Dubois might find it challenging to match Usyk's speed and movement. However, a slightly lighter weight could potentially make it less difficult for him to keep up with Usyk's style. According to prevailing sentiment, the strategy to surprise Usyk and potentially cause an upset involves aggressively pressuring him and landing hits wherever possible – a tactic often referred to as "big manning" in boxing gyms. Dubois' weight could suggest a greater focus on movement and cardiovascular conditioning in his game plan, as he attempts to navigate the challenge posed by Usyk's skills.

Oleksandr Usyk's consecutive victories over Anthony Joshua solidified his standing as one of boxing's premier fighters. These wins also conveyed a clear message to the heavyweight division: despite his smaller size, Usyk is not an easy opponent to defeat. Next in line to take on this challenge is Daniel Dubois, a compatriot of Joshua. Dubois will travel to Wroclaw Stadium in Poland this weekend to face the unified heavyweight world champion for Usyk vs Dubois bout. During a recent feature on TNT Sport, Usyk explained to Dubois why he regards Anthony Joshua as a superior boxer compared to him. Usyk noted Joshua's Olympic champion and two-time world champion status, highlighting his extensive accomplishments. Usyk also acknowledged that Daniel Dubois is still a young boxer in comparison.

“Anthony Joshua was an olympic champion and a two time world champion. Daniel is a young boy.” “Anthony is the better boxer.”

Many experts believe that Dubois needs to utilize his physical advantages in the Usyk vs Dubois in the same way Joshua struggled to do in his fights against Usyk. However, this is a challenging task. Usyk is widely recognized as the most technically skilled fighter in the heavyweight division, having encountered various approaches both in his professional career and his extensive amateur background. This upcoming Usyk vs Dubois fight represents the toughest challenge in Dubois' 20-fight career thus far. A victory for him would reverberate throughout the boxing world, surprising many. Dubois parted ways with Shane McGuigan during the negotiation process for this Usyk vs Dubois  fight. As a result, veteran coach Don Charles will be guiding the 25-year-old Dubois from his corner in this weekend's match.

The commonly held belief suggests that what occurs during sparring sessions should remain private. However, Frank Warren holds a different view and has shared the name of a young heavyweight who, according to him, knocked down Anthony Joshua during a closed-door sparring session. In the lead-up to Daniel Dubois' mandatory challenge against Oleksandr Usyk's world titles, much has been discussed about Dubois' punching power. During an interview with IFL TV, Frank Warren, associated with Queensberry Promotions, was asked whether Dubois possesses more knockout power than Anthony Joshua. Warren replied, Yes, you can ask AJ. He was then asked to provide further explanation. Warren stated, Well, they sparred before, and he managed to knock AJ over.

“Yeah. Ask AJ.”

He was then asked to qualify that.

“Well, they sparred didn’t they, and he knocked him over.”

Dubois' reputation for powerful punches seems to be the primary way many observers in the boxing world, aside from those in Dubois' camp, envision him securing a victory. The common phrase "puncher's chance" has been used by various figures, including Dave Allen and Carl Froch. Recently, Deontay Wilder and his trainer Malik Scott expressed the belief that once Usyk figures out Dubois' style, he could potentially stop Dubois in the middle to later rounds. Dubois himself has committed to employing aggressive tactics and leveraging his size advantage to dominate his naturally smaller opponent. He aims to differentiate his approach from Anthony Joshua's two encounters with Usyk, where he believes Joshua didn't effectively use his size. This upcoming fight at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, marks Usyk's second defense of his WBA, IBF, and WBO belts. His previous defense involved a rematch with Joshua, an Olympic gold medalist like Usyk. The highly anticipated showdown is drawing near, with the event set to be broadcast live on pay-per-view through TNT Sports.

Carl Froch has given his thoughts on the upcoming Usyk vs Dubois heavyweight world title match between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois. Froch believes that while one fighter is very strong, the match won't be completely one-sided. Dubois faces a tough challenge in Poland on August 26th when he competes for a world title for the first time. He will be up against Usyk, who holds the IFB, WBO, and WBA titles and will enjoy strong support from the crowd. Froch expressed his excitement about the Usyk vs Dubois fight, disagreeing with those who consider it an uneven matchup. He acknowledged Usyk's impressive achievements, including being an undefeated gold medalist and cruiserweight champion who successfully transitioned to heavyweight by defeating Anthony Joshua.

“I think it’s exciting. Me personally I don’t think it’s a mismatch. A lot of people are saying that. I can see why on paper, cause Oleksandr Usyk has reigned supreme. He’s an undefeated gold medalist, unified cruiserweight champ, and he stepped up to heavyweight and now he has all the titles with them two wins against Anthony Joshua.”

Despite Usyk's accomplishments, Froch believes Dubois has a chance to win Usyk vs Dubois bout, which sets him apart from many others in the boxing world. Froch mentioned Dubois's powerful punching ability, particularly his right hand, and emphasized that if Dubois lands a good punch, he could change the course of the fight.

“He’s got a puncher’s chance, and that doesn’t just mean if he’s lucky with a punch and he lands. He can punch hard and, if he connects with that right hand which he could so at any stage in this fight, a 12-round fight, he’s going be coming, he’s fit and strong, he’s definitely got a chance.”

Ultimately, Froch predicted that Usyk would likely win the fight on points over the course of 12 rounds, and he even suggested the possibility of a late stoppage. Froch praised Usyk's remarkable talent and near-unbeatable skills, making him the likely victor.

“If you put their names into a computer, 99 times out of 100, maybe even 100 times out of 100, it’s going to have Usyk winning that fight. He doesn’t know how to lose. He’s an unbelievable talent, he’s almost unbeatable. He will probably win this fight on points over 12 rounds and maybe even get a late stoppage.”

No matter the outcome, the fight is expected to be exciting for as long as it lasts.

Anthony Joshua has indicated that the proposed heavyweight fight night in Saudi Arabia might be revived. Earlier, there were plans for a major event featuring Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk and AJ vs. Deontay Wilder on the same night. These fights were intended for December, but negotiations stalled without official offers. Fury chose an alternate path, arranging to face Francis Ngannou in Riyadh on October 28. This choice ruled out his return to the ring in December and appeared to cancel Fury vs. Usyk for 2023. Nonetheless, discussions about AJ vs. Wilder continued. Both camps' promoters have spoken positively about the talks, which resumed after AJ's victory over Robert Helenius. In a recent update, Joshua shared that there seems to be a change of plan again. The notion of Fury vs. Usyk happening on the same event is back on the table. Joshua mentioned:

"Things are looking positive from what I've heard. We have some obstacles to overcome - Fury needs to overcome Francis Ngannou and Usyk has a match against Daniel Dubois, so good luck to both of them. Once that's settled, we can reconsider the plan. The aim is to potentially have Usyk and Fury compete for the undisputed heavyweight championship, while Wilder and I battle it out. It could be a fantastic event, so we're waiting to finalize the details."

When asked if his potential fight with Wilder would be a fierce exchange like George Foreman vs. Ron Lyle, Joshua responded:

"I'm a bit more strategic than that. My boxing approach is about intelligence. That was an all-out brawl. But of course, it's a fight, and if an opponent pushes you to that limit, you need to be prepared to defend your ground. I believe I'm better than just relying on that kind of fight; I think I can defeat any opponent using my skills alone – that's my mindset. However, if someone manages to draw that side out of me and takes the fight deep, I'm up for it. That's what I'm searching for."

Former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson is set to train ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou for his upcoming Fury vs Ngannou fight against current boxing champ Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on October 28. Although many favor Fury due to his extensive boxing experience, Tyson believes Ngannou has the strength to challenge Fury. Recalling a past instance, Tyson mentioned that Fury was once knocked down by a lighter opponent, Steve Cunningham, early in his boxing career. He emphasizes Ngannou's remarkable power, saying that Fury hasn't faced anyone with such intense punches. Tyson noted that Deontay Wilder had knocked Fury down multiple times but couldn't defeat him. For Ngannou to succeed, Tyson suggests an aggressive approach, focusing on both body and head shots. He shared that they've been practicing this strategy and that Ngannou is keen on winning, driven by his love for his home country.

“Absolutely, Tyson Fury got dropped by a small guy [Steve Cunningham] early in his career. “This guy punches like God knows who, he moves quicker, I’ve worked with his speed. “Listen man, he only has to land one or two. “Tyson’s never been in the ring with a guy that can punch this hard. “I think this guy punches harder than anybody he’s ever fought.” “He just needs gotta go all-out aggression,” Tyson explained, “Punch him to the body, punch him to the head, as we’ve been working with. “He’s moving his head, he’s getting it together and he’s really determined to do this. “He really wants to do this for his country and his people, it’s patriotic pride. I’m very excited about this.”

In conclusion, Tyson expressed that if Ngannou manages to beat Fury in Fury vs Ngannou bout, it would be a more significant surprise than when Buster Douglas defeated him in a historic match.

“It would be a bigger upset that Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson.”

Malik Scott, Deontay Wilder's current trainer and former heavyweight contender, shared Wilder's plans as they anticipate a much-awaited bout with Anthony Joshua. The boxing community has been buzzing about a potential match between Wilder and Joshua since 2018, with hopes of crowning a unified heavyweight champion in the four-belt era. Yet, despite the anticipation, nothing came of the discussions, and both fighters eventually lost their titles. Interestingly, even though Wilder has only stepped into the ring for a single round since October 2021, it appears a face-off between the two former champions is on the horizon. The rumored location for this high-profile clash is Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, set for early 2024. While speaking on The Porter Way Podcast, Scott mentioned that they're currently waiting on Joshua's decision. However, he expressed that Wilder is open to another fight this year as a warm-up. Scott explained that at one point, Wilder aimed to compete three times this year. Due to Wilder's knockout prowess, he believed he could even manage four. He addressed concerns about Wilder's recent inactivity, attributing it to the brief match with Helenius that lasted barely over a minute. Scott said people might be more understanding if the match had stretched longer. Scott voiced the feelings of those close to Wilder, suggesting that it might be best for Wilder to have another match before facing Joshua. Yet, he's confident that regardless of prior activity, Wilder is ready. He hinted at a potential bout in October, with a definite one in January.

“At one time, he wanted to fight three times this year. I was big on the fact that he would be able to get four times a year and the reason that I say that is because of the knockout power. “Let’s say Deontay went nine rounds last October, people wouldn’t be raving so much about his inactivity now, but the fact that he was in the ring for maybe ninety seconds with Helenius, people are getting kind of worried. “If you are around him, you care about him and you want the best for him, you have to want him to get another fight before going into [the] Joshua [fight]. But I personally think that, this could be my ego talking, it won’t matter. “The next move right now for him is January, if we can get something for him in October, that would be great.

The anticipation for the clash between the two boxing giants continues to build, promising significant opportunities for the victor and challenges for the defeated.

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.