Usyk v Dubois 2: Eubank v Benn 'dead', could AJ fight Jake Paul? - Hearn Q&A

BBC News

7 days ago

Update:
Date: 21:28 BST
Title: Heavyweight boxing's biggest shocks
Content: Bobbie JacksonBBC Sport at Wembley Stadium
The heavyweight division can be one of the most unpredictable with one punch enough to deliver victory.
Buster Douglas' knockout out of previously undefeated Mike Tyson ranks high on the list of upset. And how about Andy Ruiz stepping in on one month's notice to beat 1-25 favourite Anthony Joshua in 2019?
If Daniel Dubois beats Oleksandr Usyk tonight it will send shockwaves through the division and probably sits somewhere below those two examples, but still a big shock!
Update:
Date: 21:27 BST
Title: Ask Eddie Anything
Content: Hearn Fan Q&A
Eddie HearnBoxing promoter and DAZN analyst
Question: What is your favourite thing to do on a day off?
"I've absolutely no idea what a day off is so I can't help you with that one."
Update:
Date: 21:26 BST
Title: History beckoning?
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
Only 11 men have become undisputed in the four-belt era while only three have managed to do this across two weight divisions.
Oleksandr Usyk alongside Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue are these three men.
But, Usyk is bidding for history as a two-time undisputed champion, twice at heavyweight and once at cruiserweight.
Update:
Date: 21:24 BST
Title: Ask Eddie Anything
Content: Hearn Fan Q&A
Eddie HearnBoxing promoter and DAZN analyst
Question: What is the latest on Eubank and Benn, the latest rumour is it could happen in November?
"At the moment the fight between Eubank and Benn is dead. September 20th was the date, now I believe there is some conversation about a November fight.
"Benn isn't interested in being messed around or waiting around, he would love and arguably prefer a shot at the world title. If that presented itself, then we would definitely look at that option.
"We've signed for it, so we have to give them a chance. We just appeal to Eubank, if you're not ready to go back to war with Benn and you'd rather sit at a poker table in Las Vegas, good luck to you. But let us move on."
Update:
Date: 21:23 BST
Title: Usyk invites Trump to Ukraine
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
Oleksandr Usyk, as always, has been flying the flag high for Ukraine this week. We spent time with him in his camp in Spain a few weeks ago and he spoke about his role as an advocate for peace in Ukraine.
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Update:
Date: 21:21 BST
Title: Speaking of Jake Paul...
Content:
Update:
Date: 21:19 BST
Title: How both fighters usually win
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
Daniel Dubois hits hard, very hard. 95% of his 22 wins have come by way of knockout and he'll pose a huge threat.
Usyk, on the other hand, has gone the distance in 39% of his 23 victories and is much more experienced when it comes to going 12 rounds.
I can feel a stoppage coming tonight though.
Update:
Date: 21:17 BST
Title: Ask Eddie Anything
Content: Hearn Fan Q&A
Eddie HearnBoxing promoter and DAZN analyst
Question: It seems that Anthony Joshua v Jake Paul is a serious possibility, what is your honest opinion on that match up?
"We have never targeted Jake Paul, we have never even looked at it as a possibility. But we also understand the size of the fight commercially.
"It's very likely that AJ will have a comeback fight before a potential Fury fight in 2026. If that's Jake Paul, and we got offered that fight, I can't see us turning that down.
"Obviously we would get the opportunity to evaporate Jake Paul from the world of boxing which I think would make a lot of people happy."
Update:
Date: 21:15 BST
Title: Do the weights mean anything?
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
So, let's attempt to crunch the numbers then.
Oleksandr Usyk is only slightly heavier than his last fight against Tyson Fury - where he weighed 16st 2lb.
As for Daniel Dubois, when these two first met in Poland in 2023, the Briton weighed 16st 9lb but was a career high weight of 17st 10lb when he stopped Anthony Joshua last time out.
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Update:
Date: 21:14 BST
Title: Dubois over a stone heavier than Usyk
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
Yesterday's weigh-in was relatively tame compared to some we've seen.
Daniel Dubois hit the scales at 17st 6lb while Oleksandr Usyk came in at 16st 3lb.
Can we take anything from that at all?
Update:
Date: 21:12 BST
Title: Ask Eddie Anything
Content: Hearn Fan Q&A
Eddie HearnBoxing promoter and DAZN analyst
Question: Is Fury v Joshua actually going to happen with Tyson Fury now calling out Usyk instead?
"I think for AJ, the only two people he hasn't managed to fight are Wilder and Fury. We signed for the Wilder fight and we were 45 minutes away from announcing that, but he got beat by Joseph Parker.
"AJ's career has been incredible, and so has Fury's. But I think perhaps one day they will kick themselves if they don't make that fight.
"You never know what Fury is thinking. When everyone in the world wants to see AJ v Fury, he starts calling out Usyk. They are in similar positions where they have both lost twice to Usyk, the third fight isn't really commercially interesting to the money men or the fans.
"I understand both guys would like a third crack at the cherry, but in terms of public desire AJ v Fury remains the biggest fight in boxing."
Update:
Date: 21:11 BST
Title: Post
Content: Okolie v Lerena
Bobbie JacksonBBC Sport at Wembley Stadium
It feels like the atmosphere just went up a notch as Lawrence Okolie walked out for the co-main event against Keven Lerena.
The night is drawing in, the lights are on and the music was pumping.
Okolie spoke this week about wanting to become a three-weight world champion. He's already held titles at cruiserweight and bridgerweight and has now set his sights on heavyweight gold.
Update:
Date: 21:10 BST
Title: Ask Eddie Anything
Content: Hearn Fan Q&A
Eddie HearnBoxing promoter and DAZN analyst
Question: With MVP being so involved in the women's division, do you expect the remaining female fighters to move over to MVP once Katie Taylor has retired?
"I think sometimes people forget that the whole reason that women's boxing is where it is, is not just because of greats like Katie Taylor but because of Matchroom's investment when no one else was interested.
"However, we have to look commercially and not every women's fight works, and certainly women's cards don't always perform commercially like a mixed card.
"We have some incredible female fighters, obviously Katie Taylor is the pinnacle, but so many great champions outside of that and so many young fighters coming through, that we remain invested in women's boxing for sure."
Update:
Date: 21:09 BST
Title: Dubois shouts in Usyk's face
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
Fight week has been rather quiet compared to others but I have to say I did enjoy Daniel Dubois shouting "AND THE NEW" in face of Oleksandr Usyk.
Does Dubois not realise he is a world champion too?!
Of course, Usyk didn't flinch.
Update:
Date: 21:06 BST
Title: Post
Content: Bobbie JacksonBBC Sport at Wembley Stadium
In contrast to the cheers for Frank Bruno earlier, Jake Paul has just received a good 60,000 or so boos as he was shown entering the stadium.
Paul has been in the news this week with Matchroom's Eddie Hearn confirming talks have taken place for the YouTuber-turned-boxer to face two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Update:
Date: 21:05 BST
Title: Dubois has been here before
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
21 September 2024 is the day Daniel Dubois put the heavyweight division on notice.
His brutal stoppage victory over Anthony Joshua was one that stunned the world of boxing.
Oh and guess what? That was at Wembley Stadium too.
Luckily for you, we've got the full fight below.
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Update:
Date: 21:03 BST
Title: Ask Eddie Anything
Content: Hearn Fan Q&A
Eddie HearnBoxing promoter and DAZN analyst
Question: If Dubois beats Usyk tonight, has he had a better boxing career than Anthony Joshua?
"If Dubois wins tonight, he would have done something that AJ hasn't done yet which is become undisputed champion. Dubois hasn't become unified champion tonight, but he can do the whole lot with one win which would be incredibly impressive.
"I think AJ's longer term resume is more impressive, but certainly with wins over Joshua and Usyk, it would make Dubois' achievements quite incredible."
Update:
Date: 21:01 BST
Title: Usyk v Fury 3?
Content: Usyk v Dubois 2
Just on that, Ruth...
Despite announcing his retirement in January, Tyson Fury might not be done just yet.
The two-time heavyweight champion has hinted at a return to boxing and he wants an Oleksandr Usyk trilogy.
"I spoke to him [Fury] over the weekend about boxing. He won't fight this year," Frank Warren told the 5 Live Boxing podcast.
"He's got this Netflix second series coming but he's in the gym. He's in it for his wellbeing, physically and mentally. It keeps him in a good place."
Who'd like to see that one again?
Update:
Date: 21:01 BST
Title: Get Involved
Content: #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
If Usyk wins tonight he should either offer Joseph Parker a shot at the title, or retire. Fury doesn't deserve a third chance.
Ruth Monaghan, Renfrew Senior's Boxing Club
Update:
Date: 20:59 BST
Title: The boxer who testified at Pistorius' trial
Content: Okolie v Lerena
Britain's Lawrence Okolie takes on South Africa's Kevin Lerena in the co-main event tonight.
Lerena has a rather interesting story out of the ring and my colleague Kal Sajad interviewed the man who survived a helicopter crash and testified at Oscar Pistorius' trial.
Read the full interview here.