'Discipline' behind heavyweight champion's Usyk desire to box on after knocking out Dubois
Saturday's success saw the 38-year-old Ukrainian become the undisputed heavyweight world champion for the second time in a career of 24 wins from as many professional fights as he deprived Dubois of his IBF title in commanding fashion.
It was also the second time he had beaten Dubois, at 27 some 11 years his junior, after a ninth-round stoppage success in Krakow, Poland, in 2023.
And with Usyk having also twice defeated another British world heavyweight champion in Tyson Fury, many are asking what challenges are left for him to conquer in the ring.
Usyk told a post-fight press conference that while he was looking forward to an extended rest, and was unsure of his next opponent, he still wanted to continue his brilliant career.
"I prepared for three-and-a-half months, I didn't see my family, my wife," he said. "Every day I live with my team, with 14 guys, in one house, every day only one face.
"Now I want to go back home, now I want to make a choice, what next, I will continue boxing, I will continue training.
"I don't have motivation, I have discipline, motivation is temporary. Today for example, today you have motivation, tomorrow you wake up early, you don't have motivation, but when I wake up early in the morning in training, I never have motivation, I have only discipline, because when I wake up, my team too, they wake up and we go for training."
Saturday's success was Usyk's latest triumph in Britain, where he won Olympic heavyweight gold at the 2012 London Games.
"For me, the UK is like a second home because this is where I won all my trophies," he said.
"European champion, amateur boxing, London 2012, Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua and now three-time undisputed Champion," added Usyk, who previously unified the cruiserweight division.
"I'm very grateful for this country."
Dubois did not attend the post-fight press conference, with veteran British promoter Frank Warren spoke on his behalf.
Warren insisted Dubois' career was far from finished.
"I look back at Frank Bruno, for example, three times he fought for the world title, and he got it in the fourth attempt. And Daniel, he's won a world title, so hopefully he will come back and learn from it."
There were suggestions before the fight that Usyk's age would count against him.
"We were all hoping that, you know, we're Brits, you know, he (Dubois) is a British fighter, I was hoping that," said Warren.
"But he (Usyk), he's got really strong resilience. I mean, he's a unique guy, isn't he? He's undefeated still, 38 years of age.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Timothy Weah joins Marseille on loan from Juventus
US international Timothy Weah has completed a loan move to Marseille from Juventus. The French club confirmed the deal on Wednesday, including an option to buy the player. The 25-year-old winger joins for a loan fee of one million euros. Reports indicate Marseille can make the transfer permanent for 14 million euros ($16,000). Weah is the son of football legend and former Liberian president George Weah. He has been with Juventus since 2023 after stints at several top European clubs. Born in New York in 2000, Weah began his career at Paris Saint-Germain's youth academy. He signed his first professional contract with PSG in 2017. After two seasons in Paris, he moved to Celtic in Scotland. There, he won the Premiership and Scottish Cup double in 2019. His next stop was Lille, where he lifted the Ligue 1 title in 2021. With 44 caps for the US national team, Weah adds depth to Marseille's squad. He becomes the club's sixth signing of the summer transfer window. Marseille continues to strengthen ahead of the new season. - AFP
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Khachanov defeats Zverev to face Shelton in ATP Toronto final
KAREN Khachanov staged a remarkable comeback to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev in the ATP Toronto Masters semi-finals. The Russian triumphed 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) after saving a match point in the deciding set. Khachanov will now face American Ben Shelton, who overpowered Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in the other semi-final. Shelton secured his first back-to-back wins over top 10 opponents, showcasing his growing confidence. Khachanov, seeded 11th, admitted the match was physically and mentally gruelling. 'I had to dig deep and try my best,' he said after the nearly three-hour battle. Zverev struggled with 44 unforced errors, while Khachanov struck 29 winners. The German's backhand error at 6-6 in the final set proved decisive. Khachanov reflected on his past losses to Zverev, including the Tokyo Olympic final. 'Today was tough, but I'm happy things went my way,' he added. Shelton, ranked seventh, dominated Fritz with precise shot-making. A brief delay due to technical issues did not disrupt his rhythm. Fritz double-faulted on match point, smashing his racquet in frustration. Shelton praised his own improvements in execution and confidence. 'Beating two top 10 players back-to-back is huge for me,' he said. The final promises an exciting clash between Khachanov's resilience and Shelton's rising form. - AFP
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia can't rely on Aaron-Wooi Yik forever
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik won't be at the top forever and the others must step up. While Malaysia will continue to bank on former world champions and Olympic bronze medallists Aaron-Wooi Yik at the world meet on Aug 25–31 in Paris, Rexy Mainaky has urged their national teammates to share the responsibility in the fight for honours. The national doubles coaching director said while he still has much faith in world No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik, he wants the other BAM pairs — world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and world No. 22 Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King — to aim for the title too. Malaysia are the only country with four pairs, including independents Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, the world No. 3, besides the three BAM pairs, at the World Championships. Rexy said it's not about Malaysia having the numbers, but more importantly, their players must have the champion's mindset. He feels that South Korea's world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae are still the favourites in Paris, even though they lost to Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri in the China Open quarter-finals last month. The Indonesians went on to win the title, beating Aaron-Wooi Yik. "Aaron-Wooi Yik are not going to be champions forever. So, all our pairs must do their part to fight for the title at the World Championships,"said Rexy. He said the fact that Won Ho-Seung Jae lost to Fajar-Shohibul at the China Open means the current level at the top is about the same. "We have four pairs but this doesn't mean we will secure the title. It's not about the numbers nor the training alone. "It's the players' mindset — to ensure every detail including avoiding illness and injuries, diet, and proper rest — that will be crucial towards success in Paris." Rexy pointed out that Seung Jae and his former partner, Kang Min Hyuk, were rated as the best after winning the 2023 world title in Copenhagen, but their partnership broke up after they failed to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "People used to say Min Hyuk-Seung Jae were the best but what has happened now? They have been split and this shows nothing is permanent. "All our pairs are on equal terms with other top pairs and we have to be ready to battle with rivals from South Korea, China, Indonesia and Japan." Malaysia's only medal at the last World Championships came through Aaron-Wooi Yik, who clinched bronze in Copenhagen two years ago.
