Weigh-In Results: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois
WBA World heavyweight champions Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois clash in the Tarczyński Arena Wrocław in Poland tonight, Saturday, August 26.
Challenger Dubois tipped the scales almost a stone heavier than the defending champion, giving him a size advantage in a fight that many fans have largely written him off in. Unified heavyweight champion Usyk is known for his pure boxing skills, defeating Anthony Joshua twice comfortably, but Londoner Dubois is known for his explosive power, so it's a classic 'boxer vs puncher' matchup.
UK: TNT Sports at 7pm
U.S: 5pm ET/ 2pm PT on ESPN+
Photo Credit: Piotr Duszczyk
Oleksandr Usyk 220.9 lbs
Daniel Dubois 233.2. lbs
12×3 WBA/WBO/IBF/IBO Heavyweight World Titles
What have they said?
Oleksandr Usyk: “My preparation is all good. We did a lot of work with swimming. We played football. We danced. I’m grateful to my team, my family, my wife. I’m grateful to my country and to Ukrainian soldiers.”
Daniel Dubois: “I’m ready. I’ve suffered through training camp. I’ve done all of that. I’m ready now. I’ve prepared. I’ve left no stone unturned. I’m ready. I’m confident. I’m ready to go right now.”
Prediction
Usyk is the WBA 'Super' champion and Dubois is the WBA 'Regular', which kind of sums up their matchup – Usyk is a level above Dubois.
Although Dubois lost to Joyce, he matched him for the entire fight, but down the stretch Joyce took over and targeted that swollen eye until he broke it completely. Four fights later, Dubois has won in rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4. However, the opposition was not up to much, including WBA #2 Bogdan Dinu and world champion Trevor Bryan. Neither fighter could be called credible.
In his last fight, he took a knee three times before turning it round and stopping the former cruiserweight world champion, Kevin Larena, in round two. He has been criticised for that performance, but what I saw was a fighter hampered with a leg injury that still managed to win against the odds. He didn't get knocked down by any punches, despite what the commentary described.
With Don Charles in his corner, he may attack Usyk early, which is his only shot at winning, in my opinion. After round two / three, Usyk will have downloaded the data to take over the fight and give spectators a masterclass.
Usyk has outboxed everyone he has been in the ring with, so Dubois will not be able to match him in that respect. Dubois has a size, weight and power advantage, so he has to use them in order to have any success, but Usyk is so slick and mobile, it's difficult to see him being landed on heavily because he isn't a sitting target. How can you load up against someone who isn't there for even a split second? I think Dubois will constantly be trying to catch a man who will just throw accurate flurries then move away. Dubois couldn't take the power of Joyce, so although Usyk isn't known for knockouts, he may be able to land so much on Dubois that he could force a stoppage.
Verdict: Usyk to win on points or a late stoppage.
How to watch Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois
Usyk vs Dubois fight preview
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