Usyk Vs. Dubois – How It Could Play Out

Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning WBA, WBC, and WBO titleholder, will defend his belts against the IBF Champion Daniel Dubois, as we look at how the fight could play out. 

Their first meeting ended in controversy after Dubois dropped Usyk with a fifth-round body shot that was ruled a low blow by the referee. Usyk recovered and stopped Dubois in the ninth round. Dubois’ team have taken confidence from that result, with the perception that Usyk may be susceptible to the body. There is also a perception that the 39-year-old Usyk may not be the same fighter. This is how the pair may approach the fight. 

Dubois will prove very dangerous in the earlier rounds. He showed this in the Joshua fight, dropping him early before getting the fifth-round stoppage. Dubois’ key weapon will be his right hand, which can stop any fighter. Usyk will want to avoid getting involved in a dog fight. Usyk has twice overcome both Joshua and Tyson Fury, who were both seen as boxers who could exert their physicality.

The Ukrainian had better footwork and movement, which enabled him to avoid being stuck on the ropes.  Usyk’s straight left hand from the southpaw stance is a key weapon, which he utilized against Joshua and Fury. Hrgovic managed to land his backhand against Dubois before the Croatian was stopped, which will give Usyk confidence. Usyk’s feints, range and changing of levels will allow him to throw the left hand.  

Dubois was getting outboxed in the first Usyk fight before the low blow body shot gave him hope of hurting Usyk. Since then, Dubois has changed his team and beaten Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua via stoppages. However, Dubois will have to fight off accusations that he quit in the Usyk fight after only getting off the canvas once the count was over. Dubois is heavier coming into this fight, an approach he had adopted in the Joshua fight.

Dubois was 15 pounds heavier than Joshua, as he will look to overpower Usyk. The body will be the target for Dubois. Dubois will find it easier than landing to the head, as Usyk has elite level head movement. There is also the background noise that Usyk doesn’t like body shots after Usyk had been dropped by a body shot by Artur Beterbiev in the amateurs. While Dubois will fancy his chances, he is still seen as a massive underdog. 

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.