Oleksandr Usyk delivered a commanding performance on Saturday night to secure a fifth-round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois, further solidifying his dominance in the heavyweight division.
The fight, held at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, saw Usyk maintain his unbeaten streak, improving his record to 24 wins.
With the triumph, the Ukrainian boxer added the IBF title to his collection, already boasting the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts.
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Usyk quickly established control in the bout, winning the first four rounds before knocking Dubois down early in the fifth. He ended the contest just one minute and 52 seconds into the round with a signature left hook that left his British challenger unable to rise before the count.
The win marked Usyk’s second victory over Dubois, following a previous encounter in 2023 in Krakow, Poland. That fight ended in the ninth round after a controversial low blow from Dubois in the fifth.
Boxing legend Lennox Lewis, Britain’s last undisputed heavyweight champion in 1999, had anticipated a stronger showing from Dubois, saying before the fight: “Dubois was a baby in the sport and now he’s a man…You’re not going to see the same Daniel Dubois from 18 months ago.”
Despite the expectations, Usyk dominated the fight, backed by a sea of Ukrainian fans in the 90,000-capacity stadium. The energy in Wembley, typically the home of England’s national football team, was electric as Usyk put on a clinical display.
After his victory, the 38-year-old champion knelt in the ring and told DAZN: “38 is a young guy, remember! 38 is only start! I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ. I want to say thank you to my team and Wembley, thank you so much! It’s for the people.
“Nothing is next. It’s enough, next, I don’t know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest.”
Pressed about potential future opponents, Usyk added: “Maybe it’s Tyson Fury. Maybe we have three choices, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot now say because I want to go back home.”
Despite the loss, Dubois remained determined, stating: “I have to commend him (Usyk) on the performance, I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I’ll be back.”
