Oleksandr Usyk Beats Daniel Dubois by Knockout, Reclaims Undisputed Heavyweight Title

Oleksandr Usyk once again became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world with a fifth-round knockout win over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

Usyk’s left hand was a dominant story early in the fight. Dubois pressed the action, but it was The Cat’s counter-punching that stood out. He utilized his footwork and superior speed to slow Dubois’s attack. 

The skill gap got even wider as the fight made its way to the middle rounds. Every Dubois salvo was met with deft movement and counters. 

By the fifth round, Usyk floored Dubois with a straight left hand. Dubois beat the count, but didn’t last long after that. A second knockdown forced the ref to call the fight and gave Usyk the undisputed title. 

There was no shortage of praise from the boxing world for Usyk’s performance. 

Usyk continues to carve out an impressive legacy in the heavyweight division. He was already the undisputed champion with a win over Tyson Fury, but was stripped of the IBF belt shortly after.

Dubois stunned Anthony Joshua with a knockout victory to win the vacated belt. Now Usyk has reminded everyone that he's the one true king of the division right now.

Usyk's record moves to 24-0 with two wins against Dubois to go with two wins over Anthony Joshua and another pair of victories against Tyson Fury.

At 38 years old, Usyk's time might be drawing to a close, though.

Talking to reporters ahead of the fight, Usyk admitted that he may only have, “two [more fights] left. This one and the next. I don’t know who that will be against because now my focus is only Daniel on Saturday," per Donald McRae of The Guardian.

If true, Usyk could see a familiar foe in his final fight. Promoter Frank Warren recently suggested that Tyson Fury is back in the gym and has his sights set on a third date with Usyk.

WBO interim titleholder Joseph Parker could also be waiting in the wings, but Usyk might just prefer the bigger name in Fury.

Regardless, The Cat is still the king of the heavyweight division with no signs of slowing down just yet.