Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois Preview
Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk clash in a highly anticipated rematch on July 19th for the undisputed heavyweight titles. Usyk controversially defeated the Brit back in 2023, and Dubois is out for revenge.
The Ukrainian fighter has dominated the heavyweight division over the last five years. Dubois has improved since he last met the Cat. Can Dynamite right the wrongs of the past, or will Usyk assert himself as the pound-for-pound best in the world?
Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois Predictions
Fight prediction: Oleksandr Usyk via decision
One of our best boxing predictions this week is for Oleksandr Usyk to remain king of the heavyweights and defeat Daniel Dubois in their rematch on Saturday. The Ukrainian has terrorised British heavyweights for five years and looks primed to add a second victory over Dubois. Dynamite is in the form of his life and has proved that he can never be underestimated, but Usyk is a shade better.
Usyk has adapted so well from cruiserweight to heavyweight due to his great footwork, ring IQ, and work rate. He’s a master at creating angles, controlling distance, and setting traps. Against Dubois, all of those traits will be vital. Expect Usyk to start fast, circling away from Dubois’s power hand, throwing in combination, and making the Brit miss. If he can frustrate Dubois early and bank rounds, the momentum will swing his way quickly.
The key for Usyk will be to stay disciplined and stick to the game plan. Dubois will attempt to catch him with something big early, and Usyk must refrain from taking any extra risks or exchanges in the pocket. His jab, head movement, and lateral mobility should allow him to neutralise Dubois’s offence and gradually chip away with volume and precision. This is what Usyk does best: take away an opponent’s strengths and exploit their limitations.
Dubois has proven that he must not be underestimated since he defeated Anthony Joshua by TKO in their IBF title fight. He’s aggressive, powerful, and has already shown he’s willing to step inside the pocket. He’ll try to close the gap, commit to the body, and make Usyk uncomfortable with pressure. If he can cut off the ring well and catch Usyk before he gets into his rhythm, he can make life difficult for the Ukrainian. Dubois will need to be brave, relentless, and opportunistic, especially in the early rounds.
Still, questions remain about Dubois at the top level. His loss to Joe Joyce raised doubts about his durability and mindset under pressure, and his defeat to Usyk in their first fight even more so. The British fighter took a knee several times in the fight and failed to answer in the ninth round, handing Usyk a KO victory. He was thoroughly outboxed in that fight. Against someone as mentally sharp and technically polished as Usyk, those flaws could be exposed again. Usyk’s tempo, movement, and stamina may be overwhelming once the fight passes the halfway point.
This is by far the biggest test of Dubois’s career. While he’s shown improvement since losing to Usyk, the Ukrainian has shown even more. He is now stepping into the ring with a pound-for-pound elite fighter who has already beaten the best the division has to offer. For Dubois, it’s not just about power; it’s about proving he has the ring craft and mental strength to compete at this level.
The longer the fight goes, the more it suits Usyk. His engine rarely falters, and his shot selection only sharpens as opponents begin to tire. By the championship rounds, expect Dubois to slow down and struggle to land clean, while Usyk picks him off with accurate combinations and keeps the pace high. A late stoppage isn’t out of the question, but the smart money is on Usyk to dominate on the cards.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 Fight Outcome
This fight sees a dangerous puncher attempt to rewrite the script against one of the most technically gifted heavyweights of this era. Dubois will look to apply pressure early, work the body, and land something big before Usyk finds his rhythm. If he can close the distance and make it rough, the opening rounds could get uncomfortable for the champion.
However, Usyk is the far more polished operator. Expect him to start quickly, stay mobile, and use his angles and combinations to keep Dubois off balance. As the fight progresses, Usyk’s superior timing, footwork, and stamina should start to take over. Dubois has made improvements, but against someone with Usyk’s movement and tempo, he will find it difficult to sustain any momentum. That steady pressure, accuracy, and ring control should be enough for Usyk to pull away on the cards and potentially threaten a late stoppage.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois Betting Tips
- Method of Victory – Oleksandr Usyk via decision: This is the best way to bet on Usyk. The Ukrainian is a heavy favourite, worth 2/7, and this elevates the odds. Five of his previous six fights have finished with decision victories. He defeated Dubois by KO in 2023, but he has come on since then. Usyk to win via decision is worth 11/10.
- Over 1.5 Knockdowns in the Fight: This is a great value wager for anyone betting on boxing. There were four knockdowns in the Brits’ last fight, and Usyk dropped Tyson Fury in his previous outing. Anyone betting on the over/under should bet on over 1.5 knockdowns, worth 13/8.
- Round Will the Fight End – Round 7-12: This is another great value bet. This fight will be a chess match from the early to mid rounds. Usyk excels in the late rounds, boasting incredible stamina and conditioning. Nine of his last 10 KO/TKO victories have come in the seventh round and beyond. That includes his KO victory over Dubois. A bet on the fight to end in rounds 7-12 is worth 8/5 with our online sportsbook.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These two fighters last fought in August 2023 in a bout that was embroiled in controversy. In round five, Dubois knocked Usyk down with a body shot that referee Luis Pabon considered a low blow. Usyk was given time to recuperate and took three minutes and forty-five seconds before continuing, although he had at first signalled that he was ready.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw–oR0TvB4&pp=ygULZHVib2lzIHVzeWs%3D
The call was contentious, with a majority of observers, including Dubois, stating the punch was legal and could have won him the fight. Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, defended the call, stating that anything below the belt line is against the law. That was a stance supported by fighters like Tony Bellew and Liam Smith. Usyk dominated the action despite the controversy, dropping Dubois in the eighth and ninth rounds before finishing with the KO.
Oleksandr Usyk Recent Form
Oleksandr Usyk is perhaps the most skilled and accomplished heavyweight in the world today with a 23-0 (14 KOs) record. The former undisputed cruiserweight king’s transition to heavyweight was effortless, as his speed, footwork, and ring IQ continued to vex and outsmart bigger opponents. Usyk’s unorthodox movement and management of the tempo of the bout make him a nightmare matchup for anybody in the division.
In recent outings, Usyk has reaffirmed his elite status with back-to-back victories over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, showcasing superior boxing skills and composure under pressure. Most recently, he defeated Fury via unanimous decision. Usyk has dominated British heavyweights in recent years, with all of his previous six victories coming against English fighters in convincing fashion.
Usyk’s Previous Five Fights
- Win: Tyson Fury via Unanimous Decision
- Win: Tyson Fury via Split Decision
- Win: Daniel Dubois via KO (RD 9)
- Win: Anthony Joshua via Split Decision
- Win: Anthony Joshua via Unanimous Decision
Daniel Dubois’ Recent Form
Daniel Dubois has emerged as one of the most dangerous and improved fighters in the heavyweight division. Sporting a record of 22-2 (21 KOs), the British powerhouse is known for his explosive punching and aggressive style. While earlier questions surrounded his resilience and composure under pressure, Dubois has silenced many critics with a string of high-level performances that have catapulted him back into world title contention.
Since suffering a stoppage loss to Oleksandr Usyk in 2023, Dubois has bounced back emphatically. He stopped Jarrell Miller in the tenth round, dominated Filip Hrgović en route to an eighth-round TKO and IBF title triumph, and then produced the standout win of his career with a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua.
Dubois now fights with greater maturity and confidence, combining brute strength with improved discipline. His recent run has solidified his status as a top-tier heavyweight and makes him a serious threat in any matchup, including a rematch with Usyk.
Dubois’ Previous Five Fights
- Win: Anthony Joshua via KO (RD 5)
- Win: Filip Hrgović via TKO (RD 8)
- Win: Jarrell Miller via TKO (RD 10)
- Loss: Oleksandr Usyk via KO (RD 9)
- Win: Kevin Lerena via TKO (RD 3)
