Oleksandr Usyk names hardest puncher he has faced in snub to Daniel Dubois
Oleksandr Usyk overlooked Daniel Dubois in favour of Derek Chisora when discussing the most powerful puncher he's encountered in the ring.
Usyk is set to face Dubois once again on July 19 at Wembley Stadium, following their first bout nearly two years prior, where the Ukrainian secured a ninth-round stoppage. The upcoming fight promises high stakes and tension, especially after their previous clash saw Dubois controversially knock Usyk down with what was ruled a low blow.
Dubois enters this highly anticipated undisputed title fight fresh from a knockout win over Anthony Joshua, while Usyk boasts consecutive victories against Tyson Fury. With an impressive 23-0 record, many have speculated about which of Usyk's opponents has packed the hardest punch.
In a candid moment on The 3 Knockdown Rule podcast last year, Usyk revealed his pick, saying: "Toughest fight? it was [Fury]. Biggest punch? No. Because Derek Chisora, very tough guy. [One punch landed] on the gloves and I said, 'Oh my God.' Like a baseball bat." Usyk faces enormous pressure heading into July 19, with a potential trilogy bout against Fury hanging in the balance - assuming he emerges victorious, reports All Out Fighting.
This follows Fury's confirmation of his boxing comeback, with the 'Gypsy King' revealing precise details for their third encounter last week. He took to Instagram with a fight poster featuring both himself and the Ukrainian, captioning it: "April 18, 2026 Wembley Stadium. The trilogy! UK. contact @spencerbrownmrgoldstar for tickets."
Usyk swiftly acknowledged the trilogy proposal, expressing his willingness for a third clash with Fury - though his camp emphasised their complete concentration on Dubois this month.
Sergey Lapin, Team Usyk's chief and Ready To Fight CEO, issued this statement: "The idea of a third fight with Tyson Fury has been on the table between our teams ever since their second bout. And I have never had any doubt that, together with Goldstar Promotions, we could turn it into a reality.
"Right now, both Oleksandr Usyk and our team are fully focused on the upcoming fight with Dubois on July 19 and on achieving the historic goal of becoming a three-time undisputed world champion. As you've probably noticed, focus and total commitment are at the core of the champion's and the team's strategy. When this goal - three-time undisputed - is accomplished, and the dust settles, we'll be open for the next round."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Oleksandr Usyk and Lennox Lewis agree in their prediction for next heavyweight world champion
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LENNOX LEWIS and Oleksandr Usyk are in agreement over who will be the heavyweight division's next world champion. Usyk became the first undisputed king in the blue riband division since Lewis when he defeated Tyson Fury to win all four belts in May. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Lennox Lewis with undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk Credit: instagram But the masterful Ukrainian - who also beat Fury in the December rematch - only has one bout left in his career after knocking out Daniel Dubois again. The question remains who will surpass Usyk when the two-weight and three-time undisputed champ retires. But the man himself told talkSPORT: "Moses Itauma, I think is a great fighter. Young. 20 years old. I think Itauma has a big future." Itauma - still only 20 - is 12-0 with ten of his wins coming by KO. READ MORE IN boxing COUNT ME IN Lewis says he would've beaten count that KO'd Dubois as he opens up on party He drew comparisons to a young Mike Tyson when he turned professional at 18. Itauma returns on August 16 against Dillian Whyte, 37, in his biggest test to date. And boxing greatness of the past and present are in agreement as Lewis echoed Usyk's assessment. He said: 'Itauma is the next coming. 3 Moses Itauma is tipped as the next heavyweight world champion Credit: PA CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'We've got a lot of heavyweights and great fighters coming out of Britain right now. Moses is definitely one of them.' Usyk, 38, has claimed he has one fight left before hanging up his gloves - and the WBO have ordered him to face Joseph Parker, 33, next. He QUIT! Chisora | Split Decision | Usyk vs Dubois 2 fight review | Sun Sport But Fury has also called for a trilogy bout at Wembley following his two losses in Riyadh. And promoter Frank Warren said: "I would like to see the Joe Parker fight. Joe deserves it. "He's on a run himself, same as Daniel was on, and that's the fight that's been ordered. "So one way or another it will happen, or Joe will fight for the vacant title. "Tyson has made it very clear to me; he'd love that [Usyk] fight, he would love to do that fight and it'd be a big fight."
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
UFC star reveals she needs SECOND eye surgery after being rushed to hospital following Abu Dhabi defeat
She was not the only one to suffer a horror eye injury on the Abu Dhabi card 'PRAYERS' UFC star reveals she needs SECOND eye surgery after being rushed to hospital following Abu Dhabi defeat UFC star Amanda Ribas is set to undergo her SECOND eye surgery after being rushed to hospital following defeat in Abu Dhabi. Ribas - who went under the knife in 2023 for a broken orbital bone - was stopped in round two against Tabatha Ricci. 3 Amanda Ribas, left, was stopped in round two by Tabatha Ricci Credit: Getty 3 Ribas is set to undergo her second eye surgery The Brazilian was dropped with an elbow and finished on the floor. But the elbow landed on the same area as her previously broken orbital and will now require a titanium plate. Ribas, 31, posted on Instagram: "It wasn't the result I wanted, but I know it's what I love! "It's where I love to be, it's where it makes my eyes shine, and I get paid very well for it. READ MORE IN UFC Eye horror Fans fear UFC star could lose eye after horror swelling sees fight called off "Thank you to God for the opportunity to work with what I love and to @ufc. "I'm going to have surgery soon, on top of the one I already had on my facial bone. "God continues to be wonderful to me and is in control. Prayers." Ribas was not the only one to suffer a horror eye injury on the Abu Dhabi card. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Mohammad Yahya was left with gruesome swelling to his left eye - with fears he could lose his vision permanently. Yahya was beaten by Steven Nguyen in a featherweight bout that broke the UFC record for most knockdowns in a fight with six. A health update was revealed after the bout on the UFC broadcast - with Yahya not suffering any facial fractures. He also was cleared of any more lasting damage as CT scans came back clear in the immediate aftermath of the bout.
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Sir Alex Ferguson buys Glasgow flat after selling mansion
According to the Scottish Sun, Govan-born Sir Alex has purchased a property in the West End. The newspaper revealed he paid £500,000 for a luxury flat in Hyndland in September last year, months after selling his Cheshire mansion for £3.25million. A source told the publication: "It's good to see him back in a city he calls home. 'People in Glasgow have loved seeing him.' Sir Alex Ferguson pictured visiting popular Glasgow restaurant (Image: Craig Nelson, Instagram) READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson 'still regularly visits' Glasgow bakery READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson spotted at Rangers' training centre It comes after a spate of sightings of the former Rangers player, including at the Ger's training centre earlier this month. Women's captain Nicola Docherty shared a photo on social media of herself with the Manchester United legend. It's unclear why Sir Alex was at the Scottish Premiership club's Milngavie base, but Docherty recounted their conversation over coffee. She captioned her Instagram story: "Met a legend today, Sir Alex! "His greatest quote - 'There was no way I could contemplate taking the England job. "Can you imagine me doing that? "A Scotsman? "'I always joked that I would take the position and relegate them'." Sir Alex Ferguson pictured at the Rangers store (Image: X/@4ladshadadream) READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson seen buying new Rangers kit in club shop He was also reportedly spotted buying the new Rangers kit.
