Ahead of the first-ever undisputed heavyweight championship clash on British soil on July 19, the two champions Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) and Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) were at Wembley Stadium on media duty before intensifying preparations for the historic occasion.
During the pre-fight press conference, the unified heavyweight champ, Oleksandr Usyk, purposely reminded his former victim that he has already defeated him with his jab alone.
Usyk first addressed his rival’s trainer Don Charles after he accused him of an Oscar-winning performance, referring to the ongoing ‘low blow’ dispute, “I believe you are jealous [to Don Charles]. You are right, I deserve an Oscar. Listen, you must teach your fighter to punch clean, but I won the fight with a jab. Enough.”
During their August 2023 clash in Poland, Usyk was given up to five minutes to recover from a low blow before upping the intensity to drop the Brit in rounds eight and nine to retain his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world titles.
The body shot that was ruled a low blow enraged Dubois and his long-term promoter Frank Warren, who still maintain that it was a legal punch, despite post-fight investigations ruling against their claims.
Usyk continued, “I don’t think about these people [who say he cheated] because it is just talking. Listen, boxing is my life. A lot of people said ‘you won’t make heavyweight’ or be a four-belt cruiserweight. You know what I say? We’ll see.
“For me it doesn’t matter, it is my road, just my road, blah, blah, blah. I am ready right now, not after tomorrow, right now. It is all only talk. I respect this team and I respect all my opponents, those from the UK and the rest of the world.”
The IBF world heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois insisted his body shot was acceptable, “Yeah [I was cheated] but it is in the past now. It happened and I get the chance to put that wrong right and clear up the controversy. There is a lot of sh-t being talked about right now and I can’t wait to put him to sleep on the night.”
27-year-old Londoner Dubois bounced back from his defeat to Usyk to score stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, all within nine months time, making him one of the most improved fighters in the world.
“Dynamite” Dubois exuded confidence in his recent form, “I think I am on fire now, I’m on fire and just pent up and ready to go. It is going to be a bloodbath and I will put all the nonsense to rest. I will show I am a man of the future.
“I know that in the ring on the night he will be doing a funny dance when I hit him.”
Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren added, “It will be a massive night and a historic one for British sport because the undisputed title has never been fought for in the UK.
“It is an opportunity for Daniel to etch his name in British sporting history. If he wins this fight he will be the first Brit to hold the four belts and that is a great, great carrot for him to go and get.
“Daniel is on a magnificent run since his controversial loss against Oleksandr and he has done everything in style, beating three world class fighters. He has shown what he is all about.
“On 19 July we are going to see history, we are going to see the best fighting the best, the No.1 against the No.2. The two best active heavyweights in the world putting it all on the line and it is going to be something magnificent.
“The low blow is done and dusted. It was not Daniel’s time and the referee, for me, got it wrong. He can put that right on the 19th. It is all about now.”
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