Ukrainian Usyk can edge box-office battle with England's Dubois
When they faced each other in the ring in Poland in August 2023, the Ukrainian stopped Dubois in round nine with some pundits suggesting the Londoner ran out of both heart and gas.
But Dubois is still irked by the controversial decision to give Usyk a breather after it was ruled that a borderline punch from Dubois was in fact a low blow and his camp insist Saturday's renewal at Wembley Stadium in London, which has an astronomical £151million purse, will be different.
Usyk, who turned 38 in January, will take £98m back to Ukraine where he still lives – dishing out food and supplies to compatriots suffering from bombings during the war with Russia – while Dubois will bank a few quid shy of £53m.
Usyk has beaten Tyson Fury in two brutal battles twice since defeating Dubois while his opponent has bravely rallied from losing for the first time in his career and overpowered Filip Hrgovic, who reputedly bullied him in sparring earlier in their respective developments, to become the IBF's interim champion before taking the full title from Anthony Joshua in devastating fashion by knocking him out in the fifth round of a stunning, one-sided, contest at Wembley last September.
Despite his age, Usyk still looks fitter than a butcher's dog and is the better technical boxer but Dubois, 27, is more resilient than he has been in the past and his strength could wear down the older man in the later stages, giving him an all-important edge in the championship rounds towards the end of what promises to be a bruising blockbuster.
Dubois certainly looks value to win at 3/1 with Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Sports, StarSports and Bresbet and 11/1 with bet365 to win on points is bigger than one of his crunching overhand rights.
Usyk is no bigger than 4/11 with William Hill to have his hand lifted in triumph and 15/8 with Betfred to win on points and fight fans who are undecided can back the explosive encounter to go over 10.5 rounds at a widespread 10/11. This is going to be one for the ages and we reckon Usyk can add to his legacy by emerging on top.
England have been brilliant since their 2-1 defeat to France in the opening group game at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland, beating Netherlands 4-1 and Wales 6-1, and head into the quarter-final with Sweden brimming with confidence.
The Scandinavians are also on cloud nine after a 4-1 victory over Germany and both sides know victory will leave them with a winnable semi-final against either Norway or Italy next week.
The victory over Germany is the only time the Swedes have conceded so far and the way the Lionesses allowed Wales to carve them open late in the game, when admittedly their best players had been substituted, is a defensive concern.
But England won 4-0 when the two nations met in the semi-finals three years ago and although a repeat of that score is highly unlikely they should still emerge triumphant at 57/50 with BetMGM.
Lauren James has been sensational in the last two outings and is 7/1 with Betway, Sporting Index and SpreadEx to put her side ahead while 5/2 with the latter two firms to score at any time. More Trending
Take England to win and both teams to score at 10/3 with bet365 and Bet Victor.
The preparations and mind games are over, it's time to knuckle down to business as the British & Irish Lions play the first of three Tests against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday morning.
Ben Earl wants this tour to be remembered as the best-ever Lions adventures while Henry Pollock insists they can win the series 3-0 which is 11/10 with Sporting Index.
Pollock is 8/1 with William Hill and bet365 to be the top English series try scorer while Ireland's Dan Sheehan is 9/2 with Betfred to be the tourists' top try scorer. As for Brisbane, the Lions are 5/6 with BetGoodwin to win by over 8.5 points.
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Daily Mirror
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