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Boxing-'Unstoppable' Dubois says he's ready to cause chaos and beat Usyk

Boxing-'Unstoppable' Dubois says he's ready to cause chaos and beat Usyk

Straits Times2 days ago
LONDON - Daniel Dubois said he felt unstoppable and ready to cause chaos when he fights unbeaten Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Dubois, 27, is the IBF champion while Usyk, 38, holds the WBA, WBC and WBO belts.
The unification fight is a rematch of one that the Londoner lost by a controversial ninth-round knockout in Wroclaw, Poland, in 2023 after Usyk was given time to recover from what the referee ruled was a low blow.
Dubois can become Britain's first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999 while Usyk is bidding to be a four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time after relinquishing the IBF title last year.
"I've resurrected myself, resurrected my career and now we're on a roll," Dubois told the BBC.
"Unstoppable, I feel like I can't be beat right now. I'm in the prime of my life and I'm going to go through whatever I have to do. We're here now, no more excuses.
"I've got to beat him this time and I am going to win. I am going to cause chaos, knockouts, by any means necessary... I am ready. Man, I'm 100% ready.
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"As soon as the bell rings my whole approach is just to seek and destroy, bring chaos and get the victory, seize the moment," he added.
The two fighters were due to hold open workouts at a venue near the stadium on Wednesday before the final face-to-face press conference on Thursday.
Promoter Frank Warren, who represents Dubois, has said Usyk would find the Briton a very different opponent to the one he beat before.
"Last time they fought Daniel the boy. This time they're fighting Daniel the man and that's the difference and he'll find that out on Saturday," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"He (Usyk) is the best heavyweight of his generation, but everybody's the best until they get beaten and I think it's his time now." REUTERS
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Boxing-Usyk winds up Dubois in Wembley weigh-in ahead of heavyweight fight
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Find out what's new on ST website and app. Daniel Dubois can become Britain's first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. – Daniel Dubois said he felt unstoppable and ready to cause chaos when he fights unbeaten Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight world title at Wembley Stadium on July 19. Dubois, 27, is the International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion while Usyk, 38, holds the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) belts. The rematch in London came after the Londoner lost by a controversial ninth-round knockout in Wroclaw, Poland, in 2023 after Usyk was given time to recover from what the referee ruled was a low blow in the fifth round. Dubois can become Britain's first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, while Usyk is bidding to be a four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time after relinquishing the IBF title in 2024. 'I've resurrected myself, resurrected my career and now we're on a roll,' Dubois told the BBC. 'Unstoppable, I feel like I can't be beat right now. I'm in the prime of my life and I'm going to go through whatever I have to do. We're here now, no more excuses. 'I've got to beat him this time and I am going to win. I am going to cause chaos, knockouts, by any means necessary... I am ready. Man, I'm 100 per cent ready. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business Granddaughter of late Indonesian tycoon pays $25 million for Singapore bungalow 'As soon as the bell rings, my whole approach is just to seek and destroy, bring chaos and get the victory, seize the moment,' he added. Promoter Frank Warren, who represents Dubois, has said Usyk would find the Briton a very different opponent to the one he beat before. 'Last time they fought Daniel the boy. This time they're fighting Daniel the man and that's the difference and he'll find that out on Saturday,' he told reporters on July 15. 'He (Usyk) is the best heavyweight of his generation, but everybody's the best until they get beaten and I think it's his time now.' Oleksandr Usyk holds the WBA, WBC and WBO belts. PHOTO: REUTERS Also fighting on July 19 is Manny Pacquiao. The former world champion is embracing his underdog status as he gets ready to turn back the clock when he steps out of retirement to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The 46-year-old Filipino feels rejuvenated after four years away from the ring and said he was returning for another opportunity to make history. 'I'm enjoying training camp as much as I did when I was 26 or 29 years old. The motivation to train hard and the discipline are the same,' Pacquiao said at a press conference on July 16. 'I mean, it's because I've been away from boxing why I'm still interested and passionate about fighting.' The veteran fighter retired from boxing in 2021. He had a stint in the Philippine Senate from 2016 to 2022 and an unsuccessful 2022 presidential bid. His remarkable record includes titles in eight weight divisions, a first in boxing history, and he was the oldest welterweight world champion at age 40 in 2019. 'I cannot imagine that I am still fighting here in the Grand arena after 24 years. It's a blessing, a favour from God, and I'm so thankful to be here, still fighting and putting on a good show for the fans,' he said. The Filipino is also enjoying being the underdog, adding: 'In so many of my fights, I was the underdog and I surprised them... Manny always brings surprises.' Standing in his path is Barrios, a Mexican-American with 29 wins (18 by knockout) and two defeats in 32 bouts, who remains confident despite facing a boxing great. 'You know, Manny is a very likeable person. I can't think of anything bad to say about him other than, you know, he's facing me for my title,' Barrios said. 'At the end of the day, he's just another man in there. He's another opponent trying to take my title, regardless of everything he's accomplished and given to the sport,' the 30-year-old added. REUTERS

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