Big-name predictions for Dubois vs Usyk – and it's a split decision

Telegraph

9 hours ago

Oleksandr Usyk faces Britain's Daniel Dubois for their re-match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night 23 months after their previous meeting which Usyk won but not without controversy.
The unification bout pits Dubois, the 27-year-old Londoner who holds the IBF world heavyweight title against Usyk, the former undisputed champion who relinquished that belt but retains the WBA, WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine championships.
In their first fight in Wroclaw Dubois believed he knocked down the Ukrainian legally, but his punch was deemed a low blow before Usyk went on to secure a ninth-round stoppage. Since then Dubois has beaten Anthony Joshua and Usyk has twice defeated Tyson Fury to set up the fight of the year.
Here's how experts are calling it:
'Dubois is ready'
Lennox Lewis, former undisputed heavyweight champion
Daniel Dubois is ready. He's the king-slayer. He's got the power. He knocked Oleksandr Usyk down before, so he knows what he needs to do. It's not an easy task but he's definitely the man that can go through with it. He's seen a weakness in the first fight. I believe [when] there's a weakness, you've got to attack it. Don't give Usyk short cuts. This fight is everything. Daniel's a pretty determined, focused fighter. He's ready.
'Usyk on points'
Ricky Hatton, former two-weight world champion
It's very hard to go against Usyk. He's a boxing master, a fantastic judge of timing and range – and nothing like I've ever seen. Look what he did against Tyson Fury in spite of the height and weight advantages. But I also think Dubois has a better chance of beating Usyk than anyone in the division, and he'll give Usyk a better fight than last time. His confidence is high, adding Kieran Farrell to the training team will add fluency. He needs to put it on Usyk, which is not beyond his reach. We know about the alleged low blow in the first fight. I expect him to cause more problems. Better fight, closer fight, and I have the feeling it will be close. Daniel will push him further than ever before, but Usyk will win on points.
'Hopefully Dubois has learnt his lesson'
Roy Jones Jnr, former multi-weight world champion
It's a great match up and hopefully we will see Dubois having learnt something from the first fight. If he can catch Usyk with a big punch, who knows? Usyk is not one of the bigger heavyweights, but at the same time Usyk did stop him last time with a jab. Dubois will have to do something really impressive to beat Usyk.
'Go in 50-50 and you're getting knocked out by Usyk'
Derek Chisora, fought Usyk at heavyweight
You must be more crazy than Usyk. You have to want it more. You have to go to the other side, where you don't want to go. So if you are prepared to go there, you could win the fight. But if you are going in 50-50, you're getting knocked out. It's going to be difficult for Dubois. Usyk is always using movement. So if you come forward and then sideways, and he is in the middle of the ring, he won't go back to the ropes, he will go left, right and move sideways. The safe money is on Usyk, I'm not going to lie. But you never know with this young kid Dubois. He's hungry, he wants it.
'I've placed a big bet on Usyk'
Saul Canelo Alvarez, two-weight division undisputed champion
Usyk has very strong stamina; he's very technical and smart. When I see someone with that focus, I back them. That's why I placed a big bet on his victory.
'Usyk is the best… he'll win in the late rounds'
Tony Bellew, fought Usyk at cruiserweight
Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world. He's probably the best heavyweight of our era. He's amazing at what he does. Dubois has been amazing. I've written him off on a number of occasions and he's come back to prove me wrong. You've got to give him a shot and he's in with a chance, but Usyk has already made him quit once. Dubois is at a stage in his career where he's overcome such adversity, and he's the most confident he's ever been. But he'll get stopped between rounds eight and 12.
'Dubois – if he can get heavy shots in early'
Amir Khan, former two-weight world champion
It will be an amazing fight. Dubois has to do more early, set the pace, as Usyk can be a slow starter. If Dubois can get heavy shots in early, he can win this fight. Coming off a great victory against Anthony Joshua, his confidence will be high. He wants it more, and he could nick it. On the other side, Usyk is such a smart fighter, but I would like to lean towards Dubois as a British fighter to make history.
'Dubois doesn't have the skills'
Carl Froch, former super-middleweight world champion
It's going to go the distance, or be a late stoppage for Usyk. Dubois can make it hard for Usyk, but I don't think he's got the pedigree or skills. Close competitive fight for five to seven rounds, but then Usyk takes over, puts the pressure on.
'Usyk late or on points'
Joe Calzaghe, former undefeated two-weight world champion
Usyk probably on points or late stoppage although Dubois will be dangerous in the early rounds.
'Usyk will confuse Daniel'
Joseph Parker, former WBO heavyweight champion
Dubois has to show something mentally different and stronger from the first fight. Chisora showed us the blueprint of how to fight Usyk with aggression and pressure, confidence and non-stop punching. But Usyk, being the masterclass fighter that he is, a technician, feints, movement, footwork, he will confuse Daniel and win on points, or even get a late stoppage, similar to the first fight.
Johnny Nelson, former world cruiserweight champion
Usyk to stop him again, but I would not be surprised if Dubois is too strong for him, and the timing is perfect. Usyk 38, Daniel 27, probably the most athletic heavyweight out there, so I give him a puncher's chance. Because we have not seen Usyk lose, it is hard to see how he loses, with that boxing brain. But I have to lean towards Usyk.
'Usyk is too accurate and will exploit Dubois' lack of movement'
Duke McKenzie, former three-weight world champion
Usyk wins this fight for different reasons. The main reason, he already holds a victory over Dubois, so he has the psychological edge. Dubois will be fit, and Dubois will have to make this a bloodbath if he has any chance of securing a victory. Dubois is not going to win on points. His main problem is that there is no lateral movement. No head movement. Every time he unloads he can be hit. You can't do that with Usyk. He's too accurate. Dubois will bring out the best in him. Vintage performance coming from Usyk. I expect him to stop Dubois around round 9 or 10.
'Dubois, because of his punching power'
Spencer Oliver, former European champion
Dubois has matured, improved and with his power punching can win this time by midway stoppage. This is a completely different fight to the first one, and I'm tipping Dubois.
'Dubois is fresher and stronger'
Dave Allen, Usyk sparring partner
I'd go for a Dubois stoppage. He's the younger, fresher, stronger man and he is getting Usyk at the right time.
'Dubois will stop him'
Frank Warren, promoter of Dubois
I do not believe it was a low blow in the first fight. Daniel by stoppage this time around.
'Usyk by late stoppage'
Eddie Hearn, promoter
I think Dubois has a real shot here but taking the patriotism away I go for Usyk by stoppage rounds 9 to 12.
'Usyk will dominate late rounds to win'
Gareth A Davies, Telegraph Boxing Correspondent
Usyk to win by decision or by late stoppage rounds 9 to 12. Dynamite DD will be dangerous for the first half of the fight, needing to attack 'The Cat' Usyk with sustained pressure. Dubois likely needs a stoppage, and needs to fight, rather than box. For me, the Ukrainian will take over from the mid rounds onwards, nullifying Dubois, perhaps even demoralising the younger man by 11 years, to claim a decision victory, or possibly a late stoppage.