Dubois Wants Usyk Next
Daniel Dubois wants to face Oleksandr Usyk next following his withdrawal from the Joseph Parker fight.
Dubois was scheduled to face Parker in a defense of his IBF Heavyweight Title, but he pulled out at the last minute with an illness, meaning that Parker faced Martin Bakole instead. Parker stopped Bakole to become the WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion, as he is in a position to face Usyk. Dubois is also in line to face Usyk for the Undisputed Heavyweight Title. They faced off in 2023 as Usyk won by a ninth-round stoppage.
The fight was controversial since Dubois had sent Usyk to the canvas in the fifth round via a body shot. But the body shot was deemed a low blow, as Usyk was given up to five minutes to recover. The Ukrainian eventually stopped Dubois in that ninth round, as Daniel failed to reverse the decision on appeal. Since then, Dubois has been on an impressive run of form.
He has secured victories against Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua before he pulled out of the Parker bout. Usyk has already said that he wants to face Dubois next, which will give him an opportunity to make history. A win makes him undisputed at heavyweight for the second time. Although Dubois could take an easier fight, or box Parker, a bout with the Ukrainian was the focus. Dubois’ dad confirmed as much.
Dubois’ Next Move
“Next, he wants Usyk, it’s frustrating about the Parker fight but he couldn’t fight with an infection. Usyk is who we’re going after next. Fight week was going well until he became ill. Everything was perfect, then he started feeling unwell a couple days before. He had a virus, he had swollen glands and an ear infection.
“So the doctor told him ‘I wouldn’t fight if I was you’ he said ‘you can fight, but after three rounds you’ll be feeling it’. He’s had these problems before, swollen glands, viral infection, it’s been happening for about eight years and they usually last three of four days but he’s been alright after that. With this it was just bad timing that it happened two days before the fight. Obviously it was very frustrating for him and us,” Stan Dubois said
The fight could take place in the summer based on the comments from Usyk’s team. After beating Tyson Fury for the second time, the Ukrainian said he would take some time off. A return for the summer was mentioned, shutting down any chances that Usyk would retire. He is already a two-weight undisputed champion, having won all the belts at cruiserweight and heavyweight. He is also undefeated, giving him every reason to walk away. But Usyk expects to retire after a couple more fights, giving Dubois another shot.
“I think two years, one and a half [left in boxing]. [And] I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare [for], not more. Just two,” Usyk said
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