It’s been exactly 22 months and 9 days since it all began. 

Oleksandr Usyk, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, had just beaten Anthony Joshua for the second time. Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois was still recovering from his first career loss to Joe Joyce two years prior. Their paths collided at Wroclaw Stadium in Poland, and what unfolded that night ignited the fire behind their highly anticipated July 19 rematch at Wembley Stadium.

Usyk was chasing history, aiming to unify all the heavyweight belts—a dream he would eventually fulfill. But ‘DDD’ stood in his way. Though Usyk controlled much of the bout, the fifth round sparked controversy after a low blow from Dubois left the Ukrainian on the canvas. Despite the debate surrounding the legality of the shot, Usyk rallied and secured a ninth-round knockout. Yet, questions still linger: What if Usyk hadn’t been given time to recover? What if it wasn’t a low blow?

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That unresolved tension is why they meet again. Dubois, now 27, has evolved—and many believe he has a real shot in the rematch. But Usyk is focused on closing the chapter for good and silencing the doubters. With fight night drawing near, the Ukrainian star delivered a heartfelt message to his mother: “Look, mom, I can fly,” before issuing a pointed reminder to Dubois: “2 weeks until Undisputed.” Interestingly, though, it’s thanks to Usyk that Dubois was able to get his hands on the IBF strap.

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After beating Tyson Fury the first time, Usyk sacrificed the IBF strap to give Fury a rematch, which wouldn’t have happened if ‘The Cat’ had decided to defend his IBF strap against the mandatory challenger, Filip Hrgovic. Dubois would go on to face Filip Hrgovic for the Interim belt, and it was then that he managed to beat the Croatian boxer and start his rapid ascent in the division with a belt to show for it. A shocking and dominant win over Anthony Joshua last year cemented his position in the division, which has led him to the position he is in today as the IBF champion.

And he promises to capitalize on the opportunity he has been given.

Daniel Dubois reveals what he intends to do to beat Oleksandr Usyk

‘Dynamite’ Dubois plans to continue his momentum in the upcoming rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, as he revealed his game plan to do what hasn’t been done yet—beat ‘The Cat.’ Determined that the fight would go his way this time, Dubois continues to claim he was “robbed” during the first encounter in Poland.

“I thought it landed. We worked on that shot for a long time in camp. I feel like they robbed me,” Dubois told DAZN’s Carl Frampton. As for the rematch, Dubois plans to target Usyk’s body even more. “This time I’ve got to throw the kitchen sink at him, land everywhere,” he said. “I’m a better fighter now—more improved, better conditioned,” he added.

In case Dubois creates another upset, he will become the first English undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. However, as Mike Tyson once said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.

It’s been exactly 1 year, 10 months, and 9 days since Daniel Dubois suffered his second career defeat at the hands of Ukrainian southpaw Oleksandr Usyk.

Now, the two heavyweights are set for a high-stakes rematch on July 19 at Wembley Stadium, where Usyk will defend his WBC, WBO, and WBA world heavyweight titles against Dubois, who now holds the IBF crown. Speaking to Sky Sports, Dubois promised fireworks. “Fireworks, it’s going to be bombs away on the night.” As the 27-year-old is riding a wave of momentum after impressive wins over Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Jarrell Miller since his stoppage loss to Usyk in 2023, he believes he’s ready to become the new world No. 1. But can he?

Just hours ago, DAZN Boxing shared a fresh video on YouTube featuring former world champion Carl Frampton interviewing Oleksandr Usyk ahead of the rematch for the undisputed heavyweight championship. While discussing Dubois, Usyk offered respectful praise: “I think Daniel is a good athlete. A good boxer, have good skills. Daniel last three fights, great win. [Jarrell] Miller, [Filip] Hrgovic, Anthony Joshua. He is a great fighter.”

READ: Maybe now is a good time for Oleksandr Usyk to finally say ‘no’

During the interview, the reporter acknowledged Daniel Dubois’ impressive comeback since his first loss to Oleksandr Usyk, asking, “I think after his fight against you, the run after that has been very, very good. Do you think he is a better fighter now? Then he was the first time he fought?” Usyk replied thoughtfully, “Maybe, yeah. Because a lot of years 2/3, yeah. Now I think Daniel grow like a boxer, like a man.”

The conversation took a more pointed turn when the reporter brought up Dubois’ past criticisms. “People have labeled him and called him a quitter,” the reporter noted. “They seen what happened in the [Joe] Joyce fight, even against you. He finished the fight on his knee. Does he have a weakness?” While maintaining his usual respectful tone, the 38-year-old didn’t shy away from addressing the matter. “A little bit, yes,” he admitted. “Because maybe it’s a younger guy. Maybe I don’t know, but Daniel a little bit afraid I am too, but my afraid is different.”

Although The Cat has remained undefeated since turning professional in 2013, four years before Dubois entered the pro ranks, his subtle remarks suggest he sees Dubois as vulnerable, perhaps even mentally fragile. But ‘Dynamite’ Dubois? He’s clearly preparing a different script for July 19.

Daniel Dubois unveils blueprint to beat Oleksandr Usyk

As ‘Dynamite’ Dubois looks to continue his momentum with a high-stakes rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, trying to do what no one has yet managed, Dubois remains adamant that their first bout in Stadion Wrocław, Poland, didn’t end fairly. He has consistently maintained that he was “robbed” of victory, pointing to a controversial body shot that was ruled a low blow as the turning point. “I thought it landed. We worked on that shot for a long time in camp. I feel like they robbed me,” Dubois told Carl Frampton.

Now, as the rematch looms, the 22-2 boxer has made his game plan crystal clear. More aggression, more bodywork, and relentless pressure. “This time I’ve got to throw the kitchen sink at him, land everywhere,” he declared. Confident in his evolution since their last encounter, Dubois added, “I’m a better fighter now—more improved, better conditioned.” Moreover, with back-to-back knockout wins, Dubois believes he’s never been more prepared.

Should Dubois pull off the upset, he would become the first English undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, a historic milestone. But as Mike Tyson once famously said, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.

For the past 11 years, 7 months, and 24 days, Oleksandr Usyk has showcased near-flawless mastery inside the professional boxing ring.

The 37-year-old Ukrainian icon remains undefeated in 23 pro bouts, rarely appearing vulnerable or outmatched. Yet, according to the man himself, he does possess a single weakness, which he revealed ahead of his undisputed clash against IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois.

The two titans are set to clash on July 19th at Wembley Stadium in a highly anticipated rematch. Ahead of the showdown, Usyk appeared in an interview with DAZN Boxing, where he may have revealed his greatest weakness. Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with technical shortcomings or defensive lapses—and no, it’s not even a body shot as many have noted.

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“My weakness—I love people,” Usyk revealed during the interview. “I love my opponent.” However, there’s an exception to this love—he didn’t have it for the former WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck. Yup, the only time. The duo squared off back on September 9, 2017, in Berlin, Germany, as part of the World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight tournament quarterfinals.

Usyk, of course, dominated the fight, using his superior footwork, speed, and jab, which overwhelmed Huck from the first round. Even though the German boxer showed resilience, Usyk secured a 10th-round knockout win. Regardless, Usyk doesn’t seem to be a big fan of Huck, as he revealed during the interview, “Only one of [my] opponents I don’t love—It’s Marco Huck.”

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When asked whether Huck was a bad guy, Usyk agreed, stating, “Yeah, bad guy. Because this man says bad words for my mama. Listen, it’s bad.” It appears Daniel Dubois might have to up his trash-talking game, but even if he did, it might not bode too well for him, given what happened to Huck.

Whether Dubois uses this weakness or not, he seems determined to do one thing.

With just over two weeks remaining in their showdown, ‘DDD’ has made his intentions crystal clear—he wants to send off the 38-year-old unified champion on a vacation that doesn’t have an end. Usyk has just bid farewell to his long-time promoter Alexander Krassyuk, which sparked much speculation about his retirement, and Dubois just wants to be of help.

“Probably, possibly yes, I’m going in there to do as much damage as possible,” he told Sky Sports when asked if he thought this could be Usyk’s last fight. “These things are happening for a reason, and I’m just going to be ready to take the titles away from him.” The undisputed fight is, of course, Dubois’ shot at redemption after being forced to surrender in 2023.

It’s clear Oleksandr Usyk doesn’t have a lot of time left in the sport at 38. Whether Dubois can retire Usyk or it goes badly for the Brit remains to be seen.