Oleksandr Usyk cements his legacy as an all-time heavyweight great with brutal knock out of Daniel Dubois
Usyk had shown his class during a one-sided contest in Krakow in 2023, where Dubois was adjudged to have landed an illegal low blow in the fifth round, but the Ukrainian had been warned throughout fight week he would face a 'different' boxer on this occasion.
Yet, the undefeated 38-year-old again proved too strong for Dubois. After Usyk enjoyed the better of the opening four rounds, he produced a masterful fifth-round finish to further cement his status as one of boxing's all-time greats.
After Usyk put Dubois down with a powerful right punch, the British boxer bravely made it back to his feet but was floored again a matter of seconds later by a huge left hook to lose for a third time.
It earned Usyk the 24th win of a stellar professional career and ensured he got his hands back on the IBF title to add to his WBA, WBO and WBC belts and become undisputed in the blue riband division for a second time, in what was dubbed his penultimate bout.
Usyk spoke to the Wembley fans after his latest big win and he didn't waste any time in calling out potential opponents for his next fight.
"Maybe it's Tyson Fury,' declared Usyk. "Maybe we have three choices, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot now say because I want to go back home.
"Nothing is next. It's enough, next, I don't know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest."
Daniel Dubois spoke to DAZN and admitted he was beaten by the better man.
"I have to commend him on the performance, I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I'll be back,' said Dubois.
"I was just fighting, trying to pick up round by round. It is what it is."
Promoter Frank Warren paid tribute to Usyk, as he suggested New Zealand's WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker will be the next opponent for the Ukranian.
"Usyk is a modern day legend. In any generation he would be a great fighter,' said Warren.
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