Boxer Oleksandr Usyk delivered a commanding fifth-round knockout over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, reaffirming his status as one of the premier forces in heavyweight boxing.
In front of nearly 90,000 fans, the Ukrainian southpaw reclaimed the IBF belt he had previously vacated, while successfully defending his WBA, WBC, and WBO titles. The victory marks the second time Usyk has become the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
Despite the emphatic nature of the win and his unblemished 24-0 professional record, Usyk remains humble about his place in boxing history. However, performances like this continue to challenge his reluctance to embrace legendary status.
At 38, Usyk gave no indication that he’s nearing retirement.
“I will continue boxing and I will continue training, but now I cannot say who my next opponent will be,” he said in the post-fight press conference. “I prepared 3 1/2 months, I’ve not seen my family, my wife. Every day I live with my team, 14 guys in one house. Now I want to go back home.”
Usyk knocked Dubois down twice in the fifth round, finishing him with a sharp left hook he later referred to humorously as the “Ivan.”
“Ivan is like a big guy who lives in (the) village and work in (a) farm… it’s a hard, hard punch,” he said.
Dubois had hoped to become the first British heavyweight to unify all major titles since Lennox Lewis. However, he couldn’t recover from the decisive blow and remained down for the count.
“I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I’ll be back,” Dubois told DAZN after the match.
The bout showed notable improvement in Dubois’ approach compared to their prior meeting in Poland, which ended controversially in the ninth round due to a disputed low blow. This time, Usyk’s dominance left no room for doubt.
With 15 knockouts in 24 fights, Usyk’s reputation as a tactical master was once again underscored by a ruthless finish.
While the Ukrainian champion consistently deflects accolades, attributing his success to hard work over hype, his legacy continues to grow.
“I don’t have motivation, I have discipline. Motivation is temporary,” he explained.
Having previously been the undisputed cruiserweight champion, Usyk has now secured wins over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Dubois — each twice. He also acknowledged the special bond he feels with the UK.
“I’m very grateful for this country. Thank you so much, you’re the best,” he said, recalling his Olympic gold at London 2012 and his early amateur career in Liverpool.
The evening also featured a cameo from YouTube personality and boxer Jake Paul, who was met with boos from the crowd but generated buzz by suggesting future matchups with both Joshua and Usyk.
“Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time… I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world,” Paul posted on social media. “First AJ then OU. Book it.”
Paul even entered the ring after the fight, sharing a brief face-off with Usyk — hinting at a potential, if improbable, clash down the line.
Usyk, known for his eccentric flair, made his ring entrance with a stuffed Eeyore toy tucked into his jumpsuit — a sentimental gift from his daughter and a recurring fixture during his fights.
As speculation swirls around future matchups involving Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora, and now Jake Paul, Usyk’s road ahead remains filled with intrigue. Whether or not he accepts his place among the sport’s elite, his results continue to do the talking.
