Oleksandr Usyk retained his undisputed heavyweight title in emphatic fashion on Saturday night, stopping Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their bout at Wembley Stadium. The Ukrainian boxer delivered a masterclass performance, overwhelming Dubois with superior movement, ring IQ, and clean, precise punching. With the victory secured, Usyk hinted at a potential trilogy showdown with either Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, further intensifying speculation about the future of the heavyweight division.
From the outset, Usyk imposed his rhythm on the fight, using his trademark footwork and angles to frustrate the British challenger. Dubois, despite a determined start, found it difficult to connect with any meaningful offense as Usyk remained elusive and efficient. In the fifth round, Usyk landed a sharp left hand that sent Dubois crashing to the canvas. Although Dubois rose before the count ended, a second knockdown seconds later left him unable to continue, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
Addressing the crowd after the win, Usyk expressed gratitude and humility. He dismissed concerns about his age, declaring, “Thirty-eight is still young. This is just the beginning. Tonight was for the people. For now, I need to rest. I want to go home and spend time with my wife and family.” When asked about his next opponent, Usyk remained noncommittal but name-dropped several potential challengers, including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora, and Joseph Parker. He made it clear that any decision would come after he returned home and recovered.
The loss was a setback for Dubois, who had been working to redeem himself following a controversial defeat to Usyk nearly two years earlier. In that previous bout, Dubois believed he had landed a legal body shot in the fifth round, only for the referee to deem it a low blow, allowing Usyk to recover and win the fight. Since then, Dubois had rebuilt his career impressively with victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. He also scored a statement win over Anthony Joshua earlier this year at Nigeria’s National Stadium, re-establishing himself as a serious contender. However, a scheduled fight with Joseph Parker was cancelled last minute due to illness, setting the stage for Saturday’s rematch against Usyk.
Usyk’s recent run has further solidified his position as the sport’s pound-for-pound king. He unified the heavyweight titles by defeating Tyson Fury last May and repeated the feat later in the year. Although he was forced to vacate one of his four belts, his dominance remains unquestioned, and Saturday’s win only added to his growing legacy.
The Wembley event was a spectacle from start to finish. Dubois entered with high drama, clad in black and flanked by flamethrowers, while Usyk received a thunderous ovation for his more composed, focused walk to the ring. As the fighters were introduced, Usyk bowed in quiet prayer, while Dubois appeared tense, shaking off nervous energy. Contrary to his usual slow start, Usyk opened aggressively, landing a clean right hand early in the first round. Dubois responded by attempting to trap Usyk against the ropes, but the champion’s movement kept him out of danger. In the second round, Usyk connected with a sharp left hand that stood out as the most telling punch of the frame.
Dubois had a brief moment of success in the third, landing a powerful right hand that drew a nod from Usyk. Still, the Ukrainian quickly regained control, exploiting Dubois’ exposed defense with swift counters. Usyk edged the fourth round before delivering the decisive combination in the fifth, leaving no doubt about the outcome.
Elsewhere on the card, Lawrence Okolie preserved his undefeated record with a hard-earned win over Kevin Lerena. Daniel Lapin, representing Team Usyk, handed Lewis Edmondson his first professional loss in a measured performance. Earlier in the evening, heavyweight Solomon Dacres rejuvenated his career with a points victory over previously unbeaten Vladyslav Sirenko.
As the dust settles on Wembley, the boxing world now turns its attention to what’s next for Usyk. With potential trilogy bouts against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua looming, the future of the heavyweight division remains as intriguing as ever.