logo
How Daniel Dubois' destiny to KO Anthony Joshua and rematch Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley was sealed after moving gyms

How Daniel Dubois' destiny to KO Anthony Joshua and rematch Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley was sealed after moving gyms

The Irish Sun16-07-2025
DANIEL DUBOIS' knockout of Anthony Joshua and rematch against Oleksandr Usyk is a case of destiny calling.
Advertisement
10
Daniel Dubois with trainer Don Charles
Credit: YouTube/Sun Sport News
10
The Wembley arch overlooks Dubois' gym
Credit: YouTube/Sun Sport News
10
Now he rematches Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley
Credit: Getty
10
Dubois also knocked out Anthony Joshua at Wembley
Credit: Getty
But together, they bounced back with big wins over previously unbeaten pair Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic in Saudi Arabia.
And after being elevated to IBF champion when Usyk vacated the belt - Dubois' crowning night came in September when he
The British heavyweight star now returns to England's 90,000-seat national stadium to rematch Usyk on Saturday night for the undisputed titles.
And - like he has for the past two years and four fights - he has prepared for the bout at head coach Charles' Pug gym in Borehamwood.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN boxing
Wembley is just ten miles away and the stadium's arch overlooks Dubois' gym from a distance - with destiny staring him right in the face.
Charles told SunSport
"I told him I had a surprise, a new place that I wanted to show him and his father.
"The minute they drove in - like you did today - I stood there and said, 'What can you see on the far side?'
Advertisement
Most read in Boxing
Usyk vs Dubois 2 - All the info
OLEKSANDR USYK and Daniel Dubois meet again in a blockbuster heavyweight unification fight at Wembley Stadium THIS SATURDAY!
Usyk won the first fight in August 2023 via a ninth round KO - but only after Dubois knocked him to the canvas with a body blow that was ruled a low blow.
Dubois, 27, has improved massively since that first meeting, reeling off stunning wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the big fight...
INFO
All the info for Usyk vs Dubois 2
Latest ticket availability and price
How much are Usyk and Dubois earning for the rematch?
Get either fighter at 50/1 to win with talkSPORT BET
LATEST NEWS, EXCLUSIVES & FEATURES
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
10
USYK VS DUBOIS 2: Stream, TV channel and undercard info for blockbuster Wembley fight
Advertisement
"They looked, they looked, they didn't know what they were looking for. I said, 'That's your destiny. The Wembley arch, that's your destiny calling. That's your destiny beckoning.'"
Dubois linked up with Charles after leaving Shane McGuigan but had just 14 weeks with his new coach before fighting Usyk.
In camp with Daniel Dubois ahead of Oleksandr Usyk bout
A low-blow in round five - which Dubois argued was legal -
Usyk, 38, later went on to become undisputed champion by beating Tyson Fury, 36, before dropping the IBF belt to take the rematch which he also won.
Advertisement
Dubois, 27, meanwhile cemented himself as a true champion by flattening Joshua, 35, with a right hand in round five of their Wembley war.
And Charles says the boxer he took to Wroclaw is unrecognisable from the man that stands in front of him today.
He said: "We tried to cram everything to fight a genius of a fighter in the name of Usyk who since then has become undisputed.
10
This is the controversial low-blow from 2023
Credit: TNT Sport
Advertisement
10
Usyk went on to stop Dubois in round nine
Credit: RICHARD PELHAM
"So we had 14 weeks to cram everything because when you fight a southpaw there are rules that you must obey when you're in front of a southpaw.
"Imagine trying to cram that into a new fighter, the working relationship, the trust wouldn't be there irrespective of whether it's Daniel Dubois or whoever else.
"The trust and the working relationship between a fighter and a trainer takes time to develop. Now it's been 24 months, there's a lot of development in all different areas.
Advertisement
"Daniel's two years older, two years wiser, all the ethos of boxing of the boxing that we teach here in this Pug gym, he understands the ethos we teach.
"And, the trust has developed, why? For many reasons; the numbers of fights that he has been with us, they're all wins with the exception of the Usyk fight.
"And the way he's beat his personnels, two unbeaten fighters and one was a double world champion. The way he disposed of them, remarkable."
10
Dubois is in great shape ahead of the Usyk rematch
Credit: YouTube/Sun Sport News
Advertisement
10
Dubois sinks a body shot into Charles' rips
Credit: YouTube/Sun Sport News
10
The pair have been training for two years now
Credit: YouTube/Sun Sport News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Alexander Isak offered whopping £32M-A-YEAR deal from Saudi but star has heart set on record-breaking Liverpool transfer
Alexander Isak offered whopping £32M-A-YEAR deal from Saudi but star has heart set on record-breaking Liverpool transfer

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Alexander Isak offered whopping £32M-A-YEAR deal from Saudi but star has heart set on record-breaking Liverpool transfer

ALEXANDER ISAK has been offered a £32million-a-year deal from Saudi Arabia — but his heart is set on Liverpool. The Swedish striker, 25, told Newcastle he wants to leave after they knocked back the Reds' initial approach over a potential British-record £120m move last week. 2 Alexander Isak has rejected a big money move to the Middle East Credit: Getty SunSport understands he could now submit a transfer request to push for a switch to the Premier League champions. And he wants to head to Anfield despite the extraordinary offer from Al-Hilal, which would also see him land a £14m signing-on bonus and a host of other incentives. Isak would pocket £3.6m for winning the Saudi Pro League, £3.8m for lifting the Asian Champions League and a further £1.75m for finishing as the division's top scorer. Also on offer is £120,000 a month in personal expenses to cover travel for him and his family, a club house with four full-time staff and a full-time chauffeur. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Isak would be provided with a private jet for him and his family whenever he is called up for It would make him the fifth-highest earner behind only Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and The Toon are refusing to sell last season's 27-goal top scorer despite him not going on their pre-season tour to Asia. They have been unable to persuade him to sign a £300,000-a-week deal making him Newcastle's highest-ever earner. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And they fear he could force a move by handing in a written transfer request. Newcastle are exploring a move for Newcastle plotting Benjamin Sesko bid to replace Alexander Isak And they are planning a £35m bid for Brentford's New Liverpool forward The Frenchman cost £69m from Frankfurt and boss And Ekitike, 23, revealed how much he likes a strike partner. He said: 'I can play alone and also with another striker and that's what makes me versatile. "You know now in football you need to adapt." 2

Lucas Paqueta ‘set to be CLEARED of betting charges as FA faced with paying West Ham star's £1MILLION legal fees'
Lucas Paqueta ‘set to be CLEARED of betting charges as FA faced with paying West Ham star's £1MILLION legal fees'

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Lucas Paqueta ‘set to be CLEARED of betting charges as FA faced with paying West Ham star's £1MILLION legal fees'

LUCAS PAQUETA is set to be cleared of spot-fixing charges, according to reports. The West Ham star has played for two years while allegations of being deliberately yellow carded were hanging over his head. Advertisement 2 Lucas Paqueta is set to be cleared of spot-fixing charges Credit: Getty 2 Paqueta was accused of being deliberately carded on four occasions Credit: PA It was alleged that Paqueta picked up bookings on four separate occasions between November 2022 to August 2023 amid suspicious betting patterns being flagged. A guilty verdict could have seen the 27-year-old slapped with a lifetime ban from football. But reports from The FA are set to confirm their decision early next week. Advertisement West Ham and Paqueta are said to be furious over how long it has taken to reach a verdict. The FA could now face having to cover the cost of the midfielder's legal fees, which is in the region of £1million. Shortly before the investigation became public, Manchester City had agreed an £85million deal to sign the former Lyon man from West Ham. But that move collapsed once City became aware of the allegations. Advertisement Most read in Football An investigation was launched after suspicions betting patterns were identified originating from Paqueta Island in Brazil, where the player was born. Bets ranging from just £7 to £400 were placed on the four separate cards, in matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth. A total of £100,000 in winnings came from bets placed on the four bookings. West Ham's then shirt sponsor, Betway, as well as a number of other high-profile bookmakers, raised concerns after their automatic systems which monitor suspicious betting were triggered. Advertisement After the nine-month FA probe, Paqueta was charged in May last year but did not face a hearing until March 2025, which finished following the end of the Premier League season. During the hearing, evidence was heard from former West Ham boss David Moyes. Paqueta's form has nosedived during the process, with the playmaker in tears on the pitch following a booking in a West Ham game versus Tottenham in May. Following that match, Paqeuta's wife released an emotional statement saying the family had been living through a "nightmare" for two years. Advertisement Sources close to the player have revealed that the allegations have had a serious impact on Paqueta's mental well-being. Read more on the Irish Sun THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at

Sky Sports forced to apologise after Ben Stokes is smacked in privates with ball leaving fans wincing
Sky Sports forced to apologise after Ben Stokes is smacked in privates with ball leaving fans wincing

The Irish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Sky Sports forced to apologise after Ben Stokes is smacked in privates with ball leaving fans wincing

SKY SPORTS were forced to apologise to viewers after Ben Stokes took a smack to his privates bits against India. Fans were left clutching their own crown jewels after the England star was whacked with a cricket ball during Friday's Fourth Test. 3 Ben Stoke winces after he is hit in the genitals by a speedy Mohammed Siraj delivery Credit: PA 3 Stokes reacts after taking a ball to the body during day three of the Fourth Test Credit: PA Joe Root hit a magnificent hundred on day three of the Fourth Test between England's 2-1 lead on India at Old Trafford. Root's 38th Test century bumped him up to second on the all-time leading run-scorers list in Test cricket. But it was Stokes, 34, that hit the headlines after the ball caught him in his genitals. Stokes was batting when a ferocious shot rocketed between his bat and, well, found its mark. Cameras zoomed on Stokes writhing in pain, leading to a wave of sympathetic groans from viewers at home. The commentator said: "Oh! Movement, pain. He's been hit in the midships again." While Prakash Wakankar on comms joked about what the physio could do about it. The British commentator then added: "Sorry if you heard any expletives there, but perhaps you can understand why." Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN Fans took to social media to joke about the incident, with one writing: "X marks the spot 🤣". While another said: "Should have protection there." India star carried off Old Trafford pitch in ambulance cart after horror injury in Test match against England A third added: "That's got to hurt." Stokes, ever the warrior, eventually picked himself up, though with a noticeable limp to remain not out as England went 544-7 after the first Innings. England lead India by 186 runs with three wickets remaining. Meanwhile, Root pushed past Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting while scoring 150. It's now only Sachin Tendulkar keeping him off the summit. Read more on the Irish Sun The Yorkshireman, 34, has a way to go to eclipse The Little Master's tally of 15,921. He needs a further 2,513 runs to become No 1 - but at the relatively young age of 34, Tendulkar's record seems achievable. 3 Joe Root's 38th Test century bumped him up to second on the all-time leading run-scorers list in Test cricket Credit: AP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store