Wembley Stadium provided the stage for the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, following up their controversial 2023 match—this time with less controversy and far more finality.
Their first encounter in 2023 ended with debate after Dubois dropped Usyk with what was ruled a low blow, sparking widespread disagreement among fans and pundits. Many felt Dubois had landed a legal body shot that could’ve changed the fight, while others defended the referee’s call. The finish came later via ninth-round stoppage for Usyk, but the controversy left enough questions to warrant a second showdown.
In the rematch, Usyk made sure there was no doubt.
Dubois, nicknamed “Dynamite,” came out with clear intent to pressure the champion early, trying to use aggression to keep Usyk off rhythm. But the Ukrainian southpaw, known for his slick movement and elite timing, slowly took control.
In the opening round, Dubois looked eager to apply pressure early, coming forward behind a high guard and trying to impose his size. Usyk, calm and composed as always, worked from the outside with his trademark footwork, circling and jabbing to disrupt Dubois’ rhythm. It was a cautious start for both, but Usyk’s sharp counters gave him the early edge.
Round two saw Dubois find some success with straight punches and body shots, but Usyk quickly adjusted, digging to the body himself and landing a stiff left hand upstairs in the final moments. While Dubois remained aggressive, Usyk’s timing and angles began to frustrate him.
In the third, the Ukrainian champion picked up the pace. Usyk began mixing combinations with his movement, keeping Dubois off balance. Though Dubois tried to close the distance and trap Usyk on the ropes, the challenger couldn’t land clean, while Usyk’s accuracy allowed him to take control of the round.
The fourth round saw a brief shift as Dubois attempted to slow the fight down and get physical on the inside. He tried to rough Usyk up in close, pushing the pace with his jab and upper body strength. But Usyk remained composed, slipping punches and scoring with counters. Dubois had moments, but not enough to steal the round convincingly.
Then came round five—the final act. Usyk’s footwork and feints had set the trap, and halfway through the round, he sprung it. A perfectly placed shot sent Dubois to the canvas. Though the London native beat the count, he looked shaky on his feet. Usyk didn’t waste time, landing a sharp right hand before unleashing a crushing left that ended the night for good. Dubois collapsed to the mat and was unable to beat the 10-count.
With the win, the 38-year-old Usyk made history, becoming the first fighter in the four-belt era to claim undisputed status in three different divisions.
Usyk vs Dubois 2 Full Card Results
- Oleksandr Usyk (c) def. Daniel Dubois via fifth-round knockout
- Lawrence Okolie def. Kevin Lerena via unanimous decision (99-91, 100-90, 100-90)
- Daniel Lapin def. Lewis Edmondson via majority decision (95-95, 96-94, 96-94)
- Solomon Dacres def. Vladyslav Sirenko via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 98-92)
- Aadam Hamed def. Ezequiel Gregores via referee decision (40-36)
- Lasha Guruli def. James Francis via fifth-round TKO
