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Usyk vs Dubois: What We Know About the Heavyweight Undisputed Title Fight

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Usyk vs Dubois: What We Know About the Heavyweight Undisputed Title Fight
Oleksandr Usyk lands a punch on Daniel Dubois during their heavyweight fight at Stadion Wroclaw, Poland, on August 26, 2023. (Photo: Getty Images)

Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois conducted their first staredown ahead of their rematch for the undisputed heavyweight championship, set for July 19, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London according to DAZN Boxing.

During the face-off at Wembley, tensions escalated when Dubois unexpectedly pushed Usyk. Security teams from both camps quickly intervened. Usyk maintained his composure and responded with a smile.

The incident drew widespread attention on social media, with many interpreting Dubois’ actions as a sign of pressure ahead of the high-stakes bout. During the event, Usyk also displayed the trident hand sign, a symbol of Ukrainian patriotism.

The fight between Usyk and Dubois was officially confirmed earlier, with all four major heavyweight titles—WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF—as well as The Ring magazine belt on the line. The announcement was made by Usyk via Instagram, stating: “The talking is over. Everything is at stake this time. Undisputed crown in heavyweight. 19.07.2025.”

The two boxers first met in August 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland, where Usyk defeated Dubois by technical knockout in the ninth round.

That fight featured a controversial moment in the fifth round when Dubois landed a low blow that temporarily halted the action. Following the bout, Dubois and his team contested the result, arguing that the blow was legal, but their appeal was dismissed.

Since then, both fighters have followed significant career paths.

Oleksandr Usyk lands a punch on Tyson Fury during their undisputed heavyweight title fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 21, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
Oleksandr Usyk lands a punch on Tyson Fury during their undisputed heavyweight title fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 21, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

Usyk, 38, went on to defeat Tyson Fury twice in 2024—first by decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era, then defending three of his titles in a December rematch. However, he later vacated the IBF title due to mandatory obligations.

Dubois, 27, captured the vacant IBF belt in July 2024 after defeating Filip Hrgovic. He successfully defended it in September by knocking out Anthony Joshua, marking his third consecutive victory after the loss to Usyk.

Leading up to the rematch, Dubois has issued bold statements, claiming he intends to “end Usyk’s career” and expressing confidence that he was unfairly denied victory in their first encounter. “This time, I won’t leave any doubts,” Dubois said in an interview with BoxNation.

Daniel Dubois lands a punch on Anthony Joshua during their IBF heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium in London on September 21, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
Daniel Dubois lands a punch on Anthony Joshua during their IBF heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium in London on September 21, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

Usyk, for his part, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reclaim the IBF title. “Thank you, Daniel, for taking care of my IBF belt—now I’m coming to take it back,” he said, according to Ring Magazine.

The rematch will be Usyk’s first professional fight at Wembley Stadium. Previously, he defeated Derek Chisora in 2020 at the nearby Wembley Arena.

Usyk already holds the distinction of becoming an undisputed champion twice—first in the cruiserweight division in 2018 after defeating Murat Gassiev, and later in the heavyweight division in 2024 following his first win over Fury.

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