Ukrainian champion cements legacy with masterclass finish in front of 90,000 fans.
Oleksandr Usyk reaffirmed his dominance in boxing’s heavyweight division with a sensational fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois.
The victory ensured he regained his undisputed status in emphatic fashion on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium.
The Ukrainian, already hailed as one of the sport’s all-time greats, returned to the top by reclaiming the IBF title — stripped from him just months after unifying the division in 2023 — and adding it once again to his WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC belts.
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Although Dubois came in brimming with confidence, riding high after a victory over Anthony Joshua, he quickly realised that Usyk’s mastery is on another level.
From the opening bell, Usyk made his intentions clear. While Dubois opened with an aggressive jab, the southpaw champion remained composed. He read each move and firing back with sharp counter lefts. By the second round, the Briton already appeared shaky on his feet, struggling to find rhythm against Usyk’s slick movement and precision striking.
Dominance delivered under the Wembley lights
Despite the home crowd’s roar, Dubois couldn’t solve Usyk’s puzzle. In the fifth, the Ukrainian stepped it up, delivering a punishing right hook to the temple that floored Dubois for the first time.
Though he managed to beat the count, the writing was on the wall. Moments later, a devastating left sent him crashing again, and this time, the count reached nine before his corner threw in the towel.
While this marked Dubois’ third loss in 25 fights — each coming via stoppage — it was perhaps the most humbling. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old remains a top contender. There are potential clashes against Agit Kabayel, Kubrat Pulev, or even Deontay Wilder.
Usyk, on the other hand, is in a league of his own. With victories over Joshua, Fury, and now Dubois (twice), the 38-year-old has silenced doubters and thrilled fans. Although he hinted at taking time off, boxing’s “A-side” has a wealth of options — whether it’s a third bout with Fury or another blockbuster showdown.
Tags: Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Dubois, undisputed IBF WBA WBO WBC champion, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, #UsykDubois.
