5 Burning Questions for Usyk-Dubois II
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With Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois set to clash once again, the stakes are higher than ever. Their first fight left fans debating what could have been. The rematch promises to either cement Usyk’s dominance, or mark a changing of the guard at heavyweight.
In this edition of 5 Burning Questions, we dive into the key storylines, lingering controversies, and potential legacy-shifting outcomes ahead of Usyk-Dubois II:
#1. If Dubois’ fifth-round shot on Usyk was ruled legal, would it have changed the outcome of their first fight?
Lee: It was a borderline shot. But, referee Luis Pabon didn’t start a count and immediately ruled it a low blow. If the punch was deemed legal, Dubois would’ve won the round 10-8 and possibly taken control of the fight. Momentum would’ve been on his side for sure heading into the second half of the fight. Usyk may have fought more desperately later on, leaving himself open to Dubois’ power shots.
We must also keep in mind that Dubois was hurting Usyk with his body punches to the point where Usyk was complaining to the referee. I do feel the shot was low and definitely impacted Dubois more than Usyk.
Evan: I think it’s tough to say if it would’ve changed the outcome of the fight. I thought the shot was pretty borderline in terms of it could’ve gone either way of being ruled legal or not. But Lee does bring up a good point in that it might’ve swung the fight’s momentum into Dubois favor. The resistance to body punches has also clearly been one of the few weaknesses in Usyk’s game. Not only did Dubois hurt him with body shots… But both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury had similar success attacking the Ukrainian legends midsection.
Ultimately, Usyk did go on to hurt Dubois multiple times and eventually finished him in the ninth round with a stiff right hand. So I’m not sure I can wholeheartedly say that if the punch Dubois landed in the fifth round was deemed legal, that it would’ve changed that outcome of the fight at all.
#2. How would a second win over Dubois affect Usyk’s legacy and place among the all-time heavyweight greats?
Lee: A second win over Dubois would firmly place Usyk alongside heavyweight greats like Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko. His rise mirrors Evander Holyfield’s journey to becoming heavyweight champion. Usyk is the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis. He is also the only boxer to hold all four major cruiserweight and heavyweight titles. He has already beaten the top four heavyweight contenders, and a rematch win would mean beating three of them twice.
With over 300 amateur wins, the main critique against his all-time status is his relatively low number of professional fights. Still, moving up from cruiserweight, Usyk has dominated a division of larger, skilled opponents.
Evan: I feel Usyk is currently in the upper tier discussion of the greatest heavyweight rankings with his accolades. From his 2012 Olympic gold medal win, becoming an undisputed champion in two different divisions, and having defeated his generation’s elite rivals multiple times now, it puts him in a rare position. If he’s able to beat Dubois again, especially with the resurgence we’ve seen from the British slugger lately, that will only solidify Usyk’s argument even more in the all-time heavyweight debate.
I’d say he’s already superseded the Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, and Klitschko brothers tier of heavyweights on the strength of his résumé alone. Usyk belongs in the upper echelon with names like George Foreman, Jack Johnson, Joe Frazier, Joe Louis, Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali, and Rocky Marciano.
I’m not sure he can ever reach the level of cultural significance as those aforementioned names. However, he definitely belongs in that elite group. He’s on the path to have a legitimate case to surpass most, if not all of them by the time his career comes to an end.
#3. What would a Daniel Dubois win mean for the state or future of the heavyweight division?
Lee: If Daniel Dubois wins, it would set up a rubber match between the two fighters. Dubois would have time to claim he was robbed in the first fight while Usyk held the titles. The third fight would bring a bigger payday for him.
Though he wouldn’t be seen on the same level as Usyk, a win would cap off an impressive two-year run since their first meeting. It could also lead to a high-profile bout with Tyson Fury. This victory might signal a changing of the guard… Shifting the division from Fury, Joshua, and Usyk to the next generation of stars.
Evan: Lee made two predictions I’m on board with. If Dubois were to pull off the upset against Usyk, it would without question set up a trilogy meeting between the two, and signify a changing of the guard moment in the heavyweight division. Additionally, it might be one of the best career reformations and resurrections from a fighter.
Although he’s just 27 years old, Daniel has been written off a few times already at various points. Following his KO loss to Joe Joyce back in November 2020, and even the loss to Usyk in August 2023, he was labeled a quitter by many pundits within the sport. The knock on Daniel was he’d mentally break at any sign of adversity. Yet over his last three fights, he’s completely shattered that stigma. He stood in the pocket, and went into the fire with quality competition in Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Jarrell Miller, eventually finishing all of them.
Dubois has come into his own. He’s showcased a newfound resilience, and rose to the occasion during difficult moments of his latest outings. A victory over Usyk would be the exclamation point and full circle moment on completing that evolution.
#4. Has Dubois improved enough since their first fight, to have a legitimate chance to upset Usyk in the rematch?
Lee: Daniel Dubois has shown great improvement since losing to Usyk. Dubois has worked on his body and has looked stronger mentally in the ring as well. He knows what it takes on the big stage and is fueled to become an undisputed champion. Dubois will need to fight with a tamed aggression while still displaying confidence in his skills. Usyk is the more experienced fighter, but Dubois’ will be the bigger and stronger of the two.
Daniel needs to start fast and apply pressure to Usyk, who is coming off two grueling 12-round battles with Tyson Fury. Dubois needs to use his jab as a weapon. He should also look to use the same punches to the body that were successful in their first matchup. Dubois is walking in as the underdog. But, he is not the same fighter that made the walk in their first fight.
Evan: As Lee stated above, I believe the improvements Dubois has made with his mentality and confidence give him more than a punchers chance in this rematch with Usyk. There’s an assurance and assertiveness that he fights with now, that wasn’t evident earlier in his career. He may not have improved technically enough to close the gap with Usyk in pure skill. But, the way his mental game has elevated can’t be overlooked. That alone combined with his incredible punching power, make him a dangerous threat to the aging heavyweight legend.
I completely agree with my colleague that Dubois’ best path to victory is to establish the jab, focus on body attacks, and pressure Usyk while consistently cutting off the ring. If he can do all of those things effectively, we may possibly see the first British undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years, since Lennox Lewis accomplished the feat in April 2000.
#5. With Usyk having limited time and fights left in his career, who would you want to see him face the most before he retires?
Lee: There’s talk of a third fight with Fury, but if Usyk wins, I’d love to see him face Joseph Parker. Parker has notable wins over Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole, earning a well-deserved title shot. As the WBO’s top contender, Parker should be next in line, or the WBO might strip Usyk and name Parker interim champion.
That said, if Usyk beats Dubois, I think he should retire. With over 300 amateur fights and a career fighting the best, he deserves to step away and let the debate about the greatest heavyweight champion include his name.
Evan: I wouldn’t mind the Joseph Parker matchup, but it doesn’t do much for me as a fan. I also don’t really need or want to see the rumored third fight with Tyson Fury. We’ve seen who the better fighter clearly is of the two. It would feel like a desperation cash grab from Turki more than anything. I’d have more interest in a potential bout between Usyk and undefeated cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Maybe they could meet at a catchweight or Jai just easily moves up to heavyweight.
Opetaia is a bonafide KO artist and pretty definitively the best cruiserweight on the planet currently. It would be intriguing to see what kind of problems he could pose to Oleksandr. I’m completely on the same page as Lee though… I’d almost prefer it if Usyk retired after this rematch with Dubois. There’s nothing left for him to prove in boxing or any must fight opponents for him to conquer.
I’d love to see him ride off into the sunset and enjoy the fruits of his labor, rather than sticking around too long to where he becomes a diminished version of himself.
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