Oleksandr Usyk once again showcased why he is one of boxing's all-time greats by stopping Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their unification heavyweight bout at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, July 19, 2025. In front of a roaring crowd of 90,000 fans, the Ukrainian star delivered a stunning performance to reclaim his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time, extending his undefeated professional record to an impressive 24-0.
The bout was a highly anticipated rematch between Usyk and Dubois, who had previously met in 2023 with Usyk emerging victorious in the ninth round. Dubois, the 27-year-old British contender known as 'Triple D,' entered the ring carrying the IBF heavyweight title he won by defeating Anthony Joshua in September 2024. Despite his youth and aggressive style, Dubois found himself outmatched by Usyk’s experience, skill, and tactical brilliance once again.
From the opening bell, Usyk imposed his trademark movement and precision. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist wasted no time establishing dominance, landing consecutive jabs and a hook in the first round while evading Dubois’s attacks with deft footwork. The Ukrainian’s speed and ring IQ left Dubois struggling to find his rhythm as Usyk’s crisp jab kept the younger fighter at bay.
In the second round, Usyk continued to frustrate Dubois, landing a powerful counter hook that visibly wobbled the British boxer. Despite this, Dubois showed resilience, coming back strongly in the third and fourth rounds to match Usyk’s intensity and earn the crowd's admiration. However, the momentum swung decisively in the fifth round.
Early in the fifth, Usyk landed a massive right hand over the top that sent Dubois to the canvas for the first time. Though Dubois bravely beat the referee’s count, he was clearly shaken. Usyk then unleashed a devastating left hook—his signature shot—dropping Dubois again. This time, the referee had no choice but to stop the fight, awarding Usyk a knockout victory and cementing his status as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Promoter Frank Warren, speaking after the fight, praised Usyk’s performance and confirmed that his next opponent is likely to be New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, as mandated by the WBO. Warren remarked, "I'd like to see the Joe Parker fight. You know, Joe deserves it, he's on a run himself, similar to what Daniel was on, and that's the fight that's been ordered, so one way or the other it will happen, or Joe will fight for the vacant title." This matchup promises to be one of the biggest tests in Parker’s career.
Usyk himself, while elated by the victory, expressed a desire to rest and spend time with his family after an intense training camp that lasted three and a half months. "I want to rest. I can't say who my next opponent is. I prepared for three and a half months and didn't see my wife or my family. I lived with my team, 14 guys, in one house. Now I want to go back home and make a choice about what is next," Usyk said. When asked about the knockout punch, he revealed it is a move he calls "Ivan," named after a big guy who lives in the mountains. "We prepared for the fight with my team. We learned from the first fight, we've had two years to prepare. The punch is called Ivan. It's a Ukrainian name, Ivan is a name for a big guy who lives in the mountains. I named it a long time ago, maybe first time was 2018. It was in USA as a cruiserweight."
The victory further extended Usyk’s flawless record against UK fighters to 8-0, including wins over Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua (twice), Tyson Fury (twice), and Dubois (twice). His dominance over British heavyweights has been a defining feature of his career, underscoring his status as a modern-day legend in the sport.
Dubois, though defeated, showed commendable sportsmanship in his post-fight comments. "I have to commend Usyk on the performance. I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from the man. I will be back! I was just fighting. I was just trying to fight round by round," he said, acknowledging the skill and experience of his opponent.
Meanwhile, Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren praised Usyk as "a special, special fighter" and suggested that if Dubois plans to return, he will need to improve his head movement and overall strategy. "He's got to have head movement," Warren advised, highlighting the technical lessons Dubois must learn from this defeat.
Adding to the intrigue, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, who lost his IBF title to Dubois in September 2024 and has not fought since, hinted at regret following Usyk’s latest triumph. Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that he had told Joshua, "We should have beaten Dubois," to which Joshua replied simply, "I know." Joshua is expected to return to the ring later this year, setting up potential future showdowns within the heavyweight division.
In the co-main event at Wembley, Lawrence Okolie secured his second win at heavyweight with a dominant unanimous decision over Kevin Lerena. The official scorecards read 99-91 and 100-90 twice, signaling a commanding performance by Okolie and positioning him as a contender to watch in the heavyweight ranks.
Usyk’s victory at Wembley was more than just a title defense; it was a statement of enduring excellence. At 38 years old, an age when many fighters contemplate retirement, Usyk demonstrated that he remains at the pinnacle of the sport. "Thirty-eight is a young guy, remember... 38 is only the start," Usyk said confidently after the fight, signaling his intent to continue competing at the highest level.
The atmosphere at Wembley was electric throughout the night, with fans witnessing a masterclass in boxing technique and heart. Usyk’s ability to adapt, strategize, and execute under pressure was on full display, reaffirming his place among the sport’s elite.
Looking ahead, the heavyweight landscape is buzzing with possibilities. With Usyk potentially facing Joseph Parker next, and the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Derek Chisora still active, the competition remains fierce. Dubois, despite his setbacks, remains a young and promising talent who is expected to learn from this experience and come back stronger.
For now, Oleksandr Usyk stands tall, a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion, undefeated, and still hungry for more. His legacy continues to grow, and boxing fans around the world eagerly await the next chapter in his remarkable career.
