Dubois linked up with trainer Charles for the first meeting with Usyk and they’ve forged a strong bond in the past two years.
They have worked together across four fights and six camps – Dubois was due to face Joseph Parker in February but withdrew on two days’ notice because of illness.
“The relationship isn’t just what happens in the corner,” BBC Radio 5 Live boxing analyst Steve Bunce said.
“It’s the amount of time you spend with a fighter in small moments, 10 or 15 minutes after training just sitting there or 20 minutes walking through a field and feeding the horses at their gym – that’s where you bond.”
Charles kept reminding Dubois about “second phase” in the first contest – meaning he wanted a follow-up to the jab to stop Usyk from escaping – and that phrase has cropped up again in fight week.
Across his 24-fight career, Dubois has thrown an average of 44.3 punches per round but that dropped to just 34.1 against Usyk.
“Dubois will be facing Usyk at the start of the manoeuvre and then all of a sudden he’s four foot to the left and when Dubois turns Usyk has moved another four foot and hit him three times,” Bunce added.
“Dubois’ plan will be not be to throw more, but to get into range more.
“He’s going to get warned for using his shoulder and forearm to push Usyk back. It’s going to be a dirty fight.”
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