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Daniel Dubois: ‘I’m Switched On And Focused’

Originally posted on Fights Around The World | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 10:59 AM ET

LONDON – July 16, 2025 – Before WBA, WBC and The Ring Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk and IBF titleholder Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois clash for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship, the pair and other fighters on the card stepped into the ring at Box Park Wembley today for an open workout in front of fans and media. One of the biggest events in recent British boxing history, the card takes place this Saturday, July 19, live exclusively on DAZN PPV (12:30 p.m. ET) from London’s Wembley Stadium, brought to fans by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.

Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) and Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) met for the first time in 2023, where the Ukrainian champion won by 9th round KO. However, the bout did come with controversy, as earlier in the fight, Dubois landed what was deemed a low blow by the referee, who allowed Usyk ample time to recover. To this day, Dubois defends that it was a legal punch. Since then, Dubois has won three fights in a row by stoppage, picking up the IBF Heavyweight Championship Usyk vacated after becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in two decades in 2024.

Also appearing during today’s open workout ahead of their respective bouts on Saturday were WBC Silver Heavyweight titleholder Lawrence Okolie (21-1, 16 KOs) and current WBC Bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena (31-3, 15 KOs), and IBF Intercontinental and WBC Continental Light Heavyweight titlist Daniel Lapin (11-0, 4 KOs) and Lewis Edmondson (11-0, 3 KOs). In preliminary action, heavyweights Vladyslav Sirenko (22-0, 19 KOs) and Solomon Dacres (9-1, 3 KOs) along with two super lightweight bouts featuring “Prince” Aadam Hamed (5-0, 3 KOs) and Ezequiel Gregores (3-24, 0 KO) as well as James Francis (7-1, 1 KO) and 2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist from Georgia Lasha Garulli (1-0) will kick off the night.

Below is what a selection of fighters had to say following their workouts:

Daniel Dubois

On how he is feeling going into Saturday

“I’m switched on and focused. I’m ready to cause chaos in that ring, I’m ready to go.”

On what the support of the fans here in London means to him

I’m grateful for this opportunity and I’m ready to seize it, I’m ready for the moment.”

On what winning the undisputed heavyweight title would mean to him and his team

“To the whole team, it means a lot to all of us. We worked hard for this. We’re not going to let this one go.”

Solomon Dacres

On coming into this fight in impressive shape

“I’ve just been working. Obviously, my last fight was in December, so I’ve been working a good solid 6-7 months, working on my strength and conditioning, sparring and everything. Always working to improve all the time.”

On if his loss in his last fight might have been the best thing for his career.

“100%… Like you said, in this career it’s not going to be a straight line, something’s going to happen, you’re going to have a blip. That was my blip right there, my last fight, so next time out, I’m going to get things much better.”

On if it’s more important to him to be impressive or win by any means necessary?

“A bit of both really. But winning is the ultimate really because I’m coming off the defeat. I’ve got to win to get myself back in the picture and winning is going to do that. I’m coming straight back in against a 22-0 guy, there’s no rebuilding, it’s straight back in there and show what I’m made of.”

On accepting this opponent on short notice

“I just said we’ve got to take the opportunity. I wouldn’t take the fight if I didn’t think I was going to win it. I’ve been training all the time. Obviously you want more notice. I got three weeks notice, but I’m in generally good shape all the time so it wasn’t tough to ramp it up for a few weeks.”

Aadam Hamed

On his legendary father, “Prince” Naseem Hamed

“He paved the way for me and now it’s time for me to continue the legacy.”

On what fans can expect from his fight on Saturday

“Expect fireworks.”

This article first appeared on Fights Around The World and was syndicated with permission.

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