Oleksander Uysk and Daniel Dubois are set to face each other for the second time after the controversial conclusion to their first fight almost two years ago.
Dubois will be looking to avenge his defeat and edge his name into the books of being a UK unified heavyweight champion alongside Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury.
The pair first squared off on 26th August 2023 in arguably Dubois’ first big heavyweight fight with a proven, top-level fighter, and questions hung over whether the Brit even belonged in the ring with such a top talent.
In the 5th round, Dubois would deliver a devastating body blow to Usyk which left the Ukrainian stunned and on the verge of defeat. But the referee would contentiously deem the body shot as a low blow, a decision which allowed Usyk to regain the upper hand.
He forced Dubois to take a knee in the eighth round and before ultimately knocking his opponent out in the 9th round, handing Dubois just his second professional defeat.
Ahead of the anticipated rematch Dubois has been focusing on building himself up again for title contention.
His first fight would be against American Jarrel Miller this would be a convincing display from the Englishman as he would dominate Miller and claim a TKO win in the 10th round.
Dubois would then move onto a showdown with Fillip Hrgovic and it would be the same result for Dubois after the fight was called to a stop due to the damage inflicted to the eye of Croatian heavyweight.
Dubois’ two wins led him to UK powerhouse Anthony Joshua and another chance for Dubois to prove himself on the big stage against another top heavyweight champion. The bookies had Dubois as the unfancied underdog but he stunned AJ by knocking him down four times before knocking him out in the 5th round.
It was the standout performance of Dubois’ career and has led him back on the path to second fight with Usyk.
After the Joshua fight, Queensberry promoter Frank Warren said: “He’s had four fights against world class champions in 12 months. But I promise you will they will cheer him when he leaves.”
Usyk has had a different journey as he chased his dream of being an undisputed heavyweight champ in 2024 and finally arranged a fight with Tyson Fury in the spring of 2024.
The bout was the first time in 24 years a unified heavyweight contest had taken place and the fight would witness a masterclass from Ukrainian as he out-fought Fury and put his name into the history books of heavyweight glory.
A rematch was held in December and would give Usyk the chance to defend his Undisputed title against Fury. It would turn into yet another clinical display from Usyk as he would defend his belts in a unanimous decision and solidify himself as one of the best heavyweights of all time.
But now with both men going on two very different paths, they are set to battle out at Wembley Stadium on July 19.
But this time the stakes will be even bigger as the title of being the undisputed champion will be on the line. Will Dubois be able to prove the doubters wrong once again and achieve his dreams of being undisputed champion, or will Usyk outclass another high level fighter and keep a hold of his undisputed crown?
Featured Image: Unsplash
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