World heavyweight titlists Oleksandr Usyk and his archrival Daniel Dubois will face off for the undisputed crown at London’s Wembley Stadium on July 19.
The unvanquished Ukrainian Usyk bears the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles in his name and is eyeing becoming the four-crown undisputed heavyweight titleholder for the second time. Elsewhere, the British Dubois is the IBF bearer.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian boxer vacated the IBF crown last year, ahead of a December rematch with Fury, while Dubois upgraded to title-holder and defended the belt against a fellow compatriot, Anthony Joshua last September.
“I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to once again fight for the undisputed championship,” said Usyk, who has a 23-0 record, in the statement released on Sunday. “Thank you, Daniel, for taking care of my IBF belt – now I want it back.”
Daniel Dubois will have the opportunity to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk when the heavyweight adversaries share the ropes once again.
He asserted his status by viciously knocking out Anthony Joshua under the Wembley arch last September, and is hopeful for a similar result as he returns to the same venue for a showdown with Usyk.
However, with the rematch date now set, former heavyweight champion Carl Froch has a contrary opinion. He believes that Usyk should not be fighting since his legacy may be tainted if he loses the fight to Dubois.
“I don’t think Usyk should keep fighting, and I remember saying last time, just retire. Once you’ve beaten Tyson Fury, just retire, you’re done. I’d feel bad for Usyk if something goes wrong, because Usyk is the far superior athlete. Far more skilled, talented fighter, big champion, undisputed cruiserweight champ. For him to live on to 38/39 in the ring. But it would be a terrible end to Usyk’s legacy if he lost,” said ex-World Champion Carl Froch in an exclusive interview with PokerStrategy.com.
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