Chijioke Gabriel
Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night reasserted his position at the pinnacle of heavyweight boxing, defeating Britain’s Daniel Dubois via a brutal fifth-round knockout at Wembley Stadium to reclaim the undisputed heavyweight title.
Usyk, 38, dropped Dubois early in the fifth before unleashing a devastating left that sealed the win—making him the first man to reclaim all four major belts (WBO, WBC, WBA, IBF) twice. The win also carries deep emotional resonance, as Usyk entered the ring flanked by Ukrainian war veterans.
Dave Allen, speaking ahead of the bout, had warned that Dubois could exploit Usyk’s age and size, but the knockout proved otherwise. Former world champion George Groves had also highlighted Dubois’s momentum coming into the fight and argued that this was the Brit’s moment to make history, but admitted that if Dubois faltered early, Usyk would seize control.
On tactics, Timothy Bradley Jr. of ESPN noted that Dubois effectively body-punched in round three, briefly disrupting Usyk’s rhythm, but it wasn’t enough to change the fight’s trajectory.
With victory in hand, Usyk signalled he’s ready to rest and spend time with family, but potential future opponents include Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua, and Joseph Parker. Fury, who suffered back-to-back losses to Usyk, has confirmed plans to return in 2026. A third Usyk–Fury fight could be on the horizon.
At age 38 and boasting a perfect 24–0 (15 KOs) record, Usyk is now widely considered the era’s greatest heavyweight. His blend of cerebral ring IQ, speed, timing, and adaptability—especially in rematches—makes him nearly unstoppable.
The defeat leaves Dubois alongside Joshua and Fury—two Britons who previously fell to the Ukrainian—further cementing Usyk’s dominance.
Usyk’s emphatic win at a packed Wembley solidifies his legacy and raises the bar for heavyweight boxing.
Whether facing Fury again or welcoming new challengers, he remains the man to beat. The question now isn’t if Usyk can be stopped, but who, if anyone, can catch him.