Ahead of his upcoming rematch with Daniel Dubois, undefeated Oleksandr Usyk has offered his candid opinions on the five British opponents he has faced throughout his career. Usyk boasts a perfect record against UK fighters, having defeated seven across eight contests.
Reflecting on his step up to face former WBC champion Tony Bellew in Manchester after unifying the cruiserweight division in 2018, Usyk paid tribute. In an interview with Carl Frampton for DAZN, he called Bellew a “great man” and a “great test,” crediting him for the opportunity. Usyk stopped Bellew clinically in the eighth round.
Following his victory over Bellew, Usyk moved up to heavyweight, facing Derek Chisora in October 2020 after a break due to Covid. Usyk described Chisora as another “great man” and a “big test,” acknowledging the challenge.
Although the win over Chisora was hard-fought, it marked the start of Usyk`s dominance in the heavyweight ranks, leading to two victories over Anthony Joshua, his initial win against Daniel Dubois, and his historic undisputed fight win over Tyson Fury last year.
Usyk is set to fight Daniel Dubois again in the UK on July 19, two years after their first encounter in Poland. That fight included a contentious moment in the fifth round when a Dubois body shot was ruled a low blow by referee Luis Pabon. Dubois`s camp strongly disagreed, believing it was a legal punch. When asked by Frampton what would have happened had the referee started a count instead of giving him recovery time, Usyk confidently replied,
If referee start one, two, three I wake up no problem. Not problem for me.
Usyk recently vacated the IBF title, leaving him with three of the four major belts. Dubois, meanwhile, holds the IBF strap and has shown impressive form with three consecutive wins against Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua.
These recent victories have helped Dubois move past accusations of quitting in his previous losses to Joe Joyce and Usyk. Usyk was asked if he saw a weakness in Dubois due to the nature of these defeats.
Little bit. Yes. Little bit. Because maybe it’s a younger guy. Maybe. I don’t know. But Daniel a little bit afraid.
With a characteristic philosophical smile, Usyk added,
I am too! But my afraid is different.
