Usyk KOs Dubois to become undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time
The victory, sealed with a crunching left hook to Dubois' jaw, made Usyk the undisputed world heavyweight champion for a second time.
The undefeated southpaw retained his WBA, WBC and WBO belts and regained the IBF belt he relinquished just over a year ago.
The bad news for opponents — especially the British ones that he keeps beating — is that the 38-year-old Ukrainian has no plans to stop anytime soon. He said he's still a 'young guy' and named Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker as possible next foes. Jake Paul threw his own hat in the ring.
'I will continue boxing and I will continue training, but now I cannot say who my next opponent will be,' Usyk said at his press conference.
'I prepared 3 1/2 months, I've not seen my family, my wife. Every day I live with my team — 14 guys in one house. Now I want to go back home.'
Usyk dropped Dubois twice in the fifth — the second time with a lunging left hook midway through the round after Dubois missed with a right. The London native looked stunned on the canvas and couldn't beat the count before about 90,000 spectators at Wembley.
Usyk, best known as a slick tactician rather than a power puncher, certainly answered questions about his age and whether he'd slow down.
He said that hook is called an 'Ivan.'
'Ivan is like a big guy who lives in (the) village and work in (a) farm… it's a hard, hard punch,' Usyk said.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) beat Dubois for the second time in under two years and this time there was no low-blow drama. It was a ninth-round stoppage in Poland with, of all things, a straight jab. But the finishing shot Saturday was a no-doubter.
Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) joined British countrymen Fury and Joshua in having lost twice to Usyk, who was an undisputed world champion as a cruiserweight before he moved up in weight six years ago.
The 27-year-old Dubois' last fight — also at Wembley — had been a stunning knockout of Joshua last September.
He couldn't muster the same magic, telling DAZN: 'I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I'll be back.'
The Briton gave a better showing than two years ago, when Usyk peppered him with jabs and won almost every round. Between the fourth and fifth rounds Saturday, Dubois' corner was urging him to use a double jab but there was not time to carry out the orders as Usyk ended it shortly thereafter.
Dubois was hoping to become the first British heavyweight to hold every major belt since Lennox Lewis just over 25 years ago.
Dubois had inherited the IBF title that Usyk vacated last year when the Ukrainian chose to focus on his rematch with Fury.
Usyk said flatly 'No' in response to whether he thinks he's one of the sport's all-time greats.
He said he's just disciplined.
'I don't have motivation, I have discipline. Motivation is temporary,' he said.
Usyk said Britain has been like a 'second home' to him. He won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He dethroned Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021.
'I'm very grateful for this country. Thank you so much, you're the best,' he said.
In 2008 in Liverpool, Usyk was crowned European amateur champion in the light heavyweight category.
In his last fight at the cruiserweight level, Usyk knocked out Liverpool's Tony Bellew in Manchester. He remains undefeated as a professional and hasn't lost any bout in 16 years.
Unsurprisingly, Paul had his share of the spotlight Saturday. He was loudly booed during his entrance to the stadium — shown on the big screens.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer told DAZN that a fight against Joshua is 'going to happen,' possibly at Wembley.
After the ring cleared out, Paul and Usyk engaged in a brief 'stare down.'
Paul posted a message on his social media accounts: 'Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time… I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world.'
He added: 'First AJ then OU. Book it.'
Frank Bruno was among the VIPs. The London native won the WBC heavyweight belt 30 years ago at the old Wembley Stadium when he beat Oliver McCall. He was knocked out by Mike Tyson six months later.
Usyk entered the stadium with an 'Eeyore' stuffed donkey from the 'Winnie the Pooh' books tucked into his jumpsuit. He brought it to past fights as well, apparently given to him by his daughter.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
6 minutes ago
- New York Times
Ashley Young completes Ipswich move following Everton exit
Ipswich Town have completed the signing of full-back Ashley Young following his Everton departure. Young, 40, left Everton this summer after the conclusion of his contract. He joins the Championship club on a one-year deal that runs until 2026. Young adds depth at full-back for Ipswich after last season's first-choice right-back Axel Tuanzebe left the club following the expiration of his contract and subsequently joined Burnley. Advertisement Kieran McKenna also has Ben Johnson and Harry Clarke, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield United, as options at right-back, while centre-back Dara O'Shea deputised in the position on occasion last term. Young will bring further experience to Ipswich after midfielder Massimo Luongo, 32, departed at the end of last season, while McKenna confirmed captain Sam Morsy, 33, is also expected to leave. 'Ashley has had a fantastic career and his achievements speak for themselves,' McKenna told Ipswich's official club website. 'He has maintained an extremely high level of professionalism and competitiveness through his career and he is still playing at a very good level. We feel his leadership and experience will be valuable to the group this season and he is very hungry to contribute on and off the pitch.' Young had spent two seasons at Everton after joining from Aston Villa, making 70 appearances and scoring twice. His 22-year-long career started at Watford before his first spell at Aston Villa. He then spent over eight years at Manchester United — where he won the Premier League — and one-and-a-half seasons at Inter – where he collected another league title – before returning to Villa in 2021. He made 39 senior international appearances for England before his retirement in 2018.
Hypebeast
22 minutes ago
- Hypebeast
In Conversation with Oleksandr Usyk, Three-Time Undisputed World Boxing Champion
This past weekend in London,Oleksandr Usykknocked out hometown fighterDaniel Duboisto cement his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Over five rounds, the undefeated 38-year-old Ukrainian delivered a masterclass in movement and ring IQ, making light work of an opponent 11 years younger and 16.5 pounds heavier. Usyk's victory at Wembley – England's national stadium and the biggest in the UK – was emphatic and with the help of'Ivan'(the hilarious nickname he gave the devastating left hook that took Dubois out), 'The Cat' from Crimea became a three-time undisputed world boxing champion and, arguably, the greatest fighter of his generation. But before the drama of the fifth round, it was Oleksandr Usyk's ring walk that caught the eyes of the fashion-forward among us – namely, the custom-made silvery greyStone Islanduniforms worn by him and his team. While it's no surprise to see the Ukrainian don the badge – he and the brand go back, with Stone Island describing the boxer as 'a longstanding member of the Stone Island community' – it was a robe worthy of the occasion, one that Stone Island created specially for the fight. 'For me, the toughest opponent is always myself – that part of me that tries to convince me not to work, that tells me to rest on my laurels. I fight him every single day.' With a steely expression that stood in contrast to his opponent's self-assured – if premature – smirk, Usyk made his way to the ring wearing the one-of-one robe, flanked by his team in matching jackets. From afar, the long parka appeared relatively simple – but we now know that its metallic grey hue was hiding something. Crafted with Stone Island's 'Nylon Metal' fabric, the fighter's outfit had the distinctive iridescence associated with the material, and it featured a tonal pixelated print with a design that was 'inspired by authentic pixel camouflage'. But the detail didn't stop there: hidden within the digital camo print, Stone Island included a 'specially created pixel alphabet' with the names of Usyk's closest family and friends, allowing the fighter to enter the ring his nearest and dearest literally on his shoulders. Daniel Dubois, meanwhile, arrived at the venue less than two hours before his own ring walk, before entering to a melange of music that included Cameo's 1986 hit'Candy'– a certified banger, but perhaps not the kind he was hoping for on the reportsare also suggesting he had a party at his house just hours before the fight. It was only going to end one way, wasn't it? Hypebeast was ringside on the night to witness history being made as Oleksandr Usyk regained his IBF title and became the first three-time undisputed boxer of the 'four-belt era' – the only boxer in history to do so in two weight classes. We caught up with Usyk a few days after the fight to talk about his mindset going into it, the importance of family, self-expression, and the ideas behind the Stone Island parka he personally designed together with the brand. Check out our full conversation below… You've been part of the Stone Island family for a while now – what is it about the relationship that makes the partnership such a natural fit? You've probably often seen me in photos from various events wearing Stone Island. Partnering with a brand I genuinely wear has always felt very natural to me. Can you tell us about the design and what inspired your ideas for the robe, and how accurately did Stone Island bring these to life with the final product? I'm always personally involved in designing my outfits – both for fight week and for the ring. I understand very well that every outfit is a message. Together with my team, we sit down and decide what we want to say to the world this time, and what symbols we'll use to express it. Most often, it's a message about my faith, my values, and my country [Ukraine]. That's exactly how it was this time. Stone Island and I worked together for a long time, putting in a lot of thought and effort into the design and creation of the outfit. In the end, it turned out just right. The names of your family and friends are on the robe in a specially created 'pixel alphabet' – what does that mean to you? Family is one of the core pillars of my life – a constant source of support and inspiration. During training camps, I spend long stretches away from my wife and children, so I wanted them to be with me symbolically when I walked into the ring. That lifted my fighting spirit incredibly. The pixel pattern is a tribute and a gesture of respect to the defenders of my homeland, to whom I dedicated this victory. These are the people who protect my loved ones. Their support means the world to me. And I know my victory meant a lot to them. When I entered the ring, I wanted to remember exactly why I fight, and who I fight for. 'I'm always personally involved in designing my outfits. I understand very well that every outfit is a message.' The results usually go your way, but how do you pick yourself up and move forward when they don't? It may look easy from the outside. But only I, my family, and my team truly know how much effort it takes to achieve these results. Not everything works out right away. And if it doesn't, you keep trying. God gave me this path, and I follow it, no matter how hard it gets. Obstacles and challenges are also part of this journey, part of His plan. He gives them to make me stronger. Outside the ring, you're known for your unique style and personality – how important is self-expression to you as a fighter? I'm actually a very cheerful guy! I love life deeply, and I love expressing that joy through music, dance, bright clothes, and – of course – boxing. When you truly appreciate each day that God gives you, it motivates you to live it to the fullest, to work harder, and to keep moving toward your goals. Who's the hardest hitter you've faced? Derek Chisora. But for me, the toughest opponent is always myself – that part of me that tries to convince me not to work, that tells me to rest on my laurels. I fight him every single day. What's a piece of advice you received that you've never forgotten? The most important life advises I received came from my late father. One of them was: 'Never worry about what others say about you. Just do your job, and do it as well as you can. Your actions will speak for you.' The same is said in the Bible: 'By their deeds you will know them.' What's next for Oleksandr Usyk – are we going to see you on the Stone Island presentation runway sometime?! Right now, I just want to rest and spend time with my family, whom I've barely seen over the past three months. What comes next? Only God knows. As for the runway: never say never. Anything is possible in life.
Associated Press
36 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Liverpool signs Ekitiké from Frankfurt and takes offseason spending to $342 million
Liverpool signed France forward Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday to continue the Premier League champion's offseason spending spree. Ekitiké is Liverpool's latest big-money signing after Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez — taking its outlay to around $342 million. The 23-year-old Ekitiké has joined for a fee of 69 million pounds ($93.5 million) and signed a six-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because details have not been made public, said the fee could rise by a further 10 million pounds ($13.5 million). Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been busy strengthening a team that won its record-equaling 20th English league title last season — in particular in attack. Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen last month for a fee that could rise to a British record 116 million pounds ($156 million), is considered one of the brightest talents in Europe. And Etikité is another player who has shone in Germany after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last year. He scored 22 in 48 appearances in his one full season with Frankfurt, which has made a big profit on him after buying him for a reported $19 million last year. Ekitiké's move comes weeks after Liverpool forward Diogo Jota died in a car accident in Spain. There is uncertainty about the future of other Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, who have both been targeted by teams in Europe during the offseason. The Merseyside club has not retained a league title since winning three in a row between 1982 and '84, which was before the inception of the Premier League. It is likely to face challenges from Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, who have all been active in the transfer market since the end of the season. Ekitiké is the latest big-money departure from Frankfurt after forward Omar Marmoush joined Man City for a reported $73 million in January. Marmoush was the team's top-scorer at the time, but Ekitiké responded with his best performances in a Frankfurt shirt to help the team finish third in the Bundesliga for Champions League qualification. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
