Before the world championship fight against Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois’ thoughts are also with world champion Oleksandr Usyk. The Brit still has a score to settle with the undisputed world champion.
A year ago, Dubois lost to the Ukrainian in a controversial knockout defeat in the ninth round. Dubois felt “cheated” out of the victory. A hit that sent Usyk to the ground was considered a low blow. The Briton was furious.
Usyk then defeated Tyson Fury in a duel of giants and crowned himself unification world champion. Dubois redeemed himself with victories against Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic.
In the meantime, he even inherited the IBF heavyweight belt, which Usyk gave up to avoid being stripped of it by the federation.
Dubois vs. Usyk: The sting still runs deep
On September 21, Dubois will fight Anthony Joshua in London for this very IBF title.
But the sting from the Usyk fight still seems to run deep.
“I have to go in there and correct that mistake,” Dubois told Sky Sports.
“There is definitely unfinished business between me and Usyk and that is part of my rise. I was in a dark place before and now I am coming into the light so I have to get that back.”
Usyk had hinted in June that he would move back to the cruiserweight division and unify all titles there.
“He was previously at cruiserweight and I’m sure he could move up again, but let’s wait and see how the future unfolds,” Dubois said.
In general, the 37-year-old seems to be heading towards the end of his career.
Is Usyk’s career coming to an end?
“So, there’s the rematch with Fury and maybe a third duel with Joshua. It’s only with these two that it’s still interesting,” said Usyk in an interview with “Seconds Out,” hinting at the final bell of his career. “From now on, the youngsters should get fit and work. The logical consequence is that – apart from Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua – I have no desire to box against anyone.”
If Joshua wins against Dubois in September and Usyk beats Fury again at the end of the year, the world champion would only have a farewell fight against Joshua left on his list.
Dubois will certainly not be happy to hear that.
The 26-year-old now has to solve the problem against his fellow countryman “AJ”. But there is still one problem. The IBF belt has not yet arrived. “We’re waiting – where is it?!” said Dubois with a laugh. “But hopefully I’ll get it.”
Source: www.sport.de
