Oleksandr Usyk cemented his legacy as one of boxing’s greats after securing a fifth-round knockout victory over British challenger Daniel Dubois on Saturday night, reclaiming the status of undisputed heavyweight champion at a sold-out Wembley Stadium.
The Ukrainian fighter displayed his trademark speed, footwork, and precision, outclassing Dubois throughout the bout. After a tactical opening, Usyk stepped up the pace in round five, delivering a crushing left hook that dropped Dubois for the second and final time in the round. The referee waved off the fight as Dubois was unable to beat the count.
The win allowed Usyk to unify the WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC heavyweight titles, further solidifying his unbeaten record now standing at 24 wins with no losses. Dubois, who came into the fight with hopes of redemption following their controversial first encounter in 2023, now falls to 22 wins and 3 defeats.
Usyk landed a total of 57 punches from 153 thrown, registering a striking accuracy of approximately 37%. In contrast, Dubois connected with only 35 punches out of 179, reflecting a clear gap in performance.
The bout was held under a charged atmosphere, with nearly 90,000 spectators in attendance. Usyk made his entrance draped in the Ukrainian flag, drawing widespread support from fans moved by his symbolism and resilience amid ongoing conflict in his homeland.
The event was not without off-ring drama. Social media users expressed surprise as the national anthems were performed before the fighters entered the ring, breaking with typical boxing protocol. Additionally, controversial internet personality Jake Paul made an unexpected appearance post-fight, confronting Usyk in the ring and teasing a future challenge an act that drew criticism from boxing purists and commentators.
Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has extended his undefeated streak against British opponents to an impressive 8-0. His victories include two wins each over Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua, along with triumphs over Derek Chisora and Tony Bellew.
Speaking after the fight, Usyk thanked his supporters and hinted at taking a break before considering his next opponent.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Usyk’s career as he continues to write history in the heavyweight division, having previously achieved undisputed champion status at cruiserweight before moving up in weight class.
