Usyk and Dubois have met before, when the Ukrainian prevailed by knockout. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois II
WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and WBC heavyweight world titles
Main card starts: 7am Sunday, 20 July NZT
Wembley Stadium, London
Live blog updates on RNZ
World champion Oleksandr Usyk is back in action to potentially become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, as he puts his three titles on the line against Daniel Dubois. The Briton has one of his own, which means whoever wins will walk out as a great of the sport - although Usyk can comfortably claim that status right now.
The Ukrainian has powered to a 23-0 (14 KO) record since turning pro, after winning Olympic gold in 2012. One of those was a ninth-round knockout of Dubois in August 2023, when Usyk ended the bout with a straight right.
That loss could have been curtains for Dubois, but the swift transition of the heavyweight division to Saudi riches threw him a lifeline. Dubois eagerly accepted and won his next three fights against high quality opponents, with Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgović and most famously Anthony Joshua all stopped inside the regulation 12 rounds.
As always, there is more at stake than just two in-form fighters squaring off. Once again, the action outside the ring is just as important, as we weigh up what this means for our own heavyweight hope, Joseph Parker.
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates his victory over Briton Tyson Fury. Photo: FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP
What's on the line
If you are new to boxing, or have just never been able to figure out what all the belts and acronyms mean, here's a handy explainer.
Usyk currently holds the WBA (Super), WBC and WBO world titles, as well as the Ring Magazine belts. Dubois holds the IBF belt, which Usyk vacated, after becoming undisputed champion, after his last win against Tyson Fury.
Dubois certainly has proven himself to be a worthy champion, despite it being essentially given to him. The fifth-round destruction of Joshua, a man who was once considered the face of the sport, sent shockwaves through the division and set Dubois on a collision course with Usyk.
A huge crowd
Wembley Stadium will host a crowd of about 90,000. Photo: Kontenthaus
The fight will be staged at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, in front of an estimated crowd of 90,000. That could climb even higher, as demand for tickets pushes promoters to install even more temporary seating.
Wait, wasn't Dubois supposed to fight Parker?
Daniel Dubois dispatches former champion Anthony Joshua. Photo: AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS
This is where it gets very murky. The Parker v Dubois fight was highly anticipated back in March, with high hopes of the winner getting a shot at Usyk to unify the titles.
However, Dubois pulled out at the last minute, citing illness and leaving Parker to fight Martin Bakole on two days' notice.
It's been widely speculated that promoter Frank Warren had his eye on a bigger price, given Dubois' rapid ascent back to relevance, especially considering he could push for the fight to be in front of a massive Wembley crowd.
For his part, Parker picked up an easy win and was made to look like a powerhouse against the hapless Bakole, so his reputation was enhanced at least.
Does Parker get to fight the winner?
If Usyk wins, Joseph Parker must be next in line for a crack at the titles. Photo: Photosport
Well, maybe.
Nothing can be discounted in the world of heavyweight boxing, but Parker's main disadvantage is that he's just not as bankable a fighter as an English or American.
That said, he is dependable and, whatever he knew about the Dubois debacle in March, he certainly came out of it with the perception that Warren and others involved at least owe him a favour.
Who wins?
Dubois has a serious chip on his shoulder over the way Usyk won their last fight. He knocked Usyk to the canvas in the fifth round, but the referee deemed it a low blow, crucially giving the Ukrainian time to get his breath back.
From there, Usyk took control and battered Dubois, until dropping him in the eighth round and finishing him off in the ninth.
Dubois is coming in with that, a lot of confidence, and a height and reach advantage, but that's been a constant theme with everyone that's stepped in the ring with the 1.9m (6ft 3in) Usyk and, every single time, the result has been the same.
This week, Usyk mocked Dubois, saying the hardest puncher he'd faced was journeyman Derek Chisora and that he wasn't surprised in the slightest that Dubois had gone down so heavily in their last meeting.
If there's one man that's earned the right to feel that way about any opponent, it's Usyk though.
