London’s Wembley Stadium, Saturday, August 19, 2023
1. Main Event Recap – A Masterclass in Motion
1.1 The Stakes
Oleksandr Usyk entered the ring needing only the IBF belt to re-unify every major sanctioning body’s strap at heavyweight. Daniel Dubois—eleven years his junior, naturally bigger, and still aggrieved by the “low-blow controversy” of their 2023 clash—was convinced he could derail the Ukrainian juggernaut.
1.2 Round-by-Round Rhythm
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Rounds 1-2: Usyk’s southpaw jab painted Dubois’ face crimson. A counter left at the close of the second buckled the Brit’s knees.
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Rounds 3-4: Dubois tried to maul, swinging looping rights. Usyk pivoted, rolled, and answered with short, venomous hooks.
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Round 5: Dubois trapped Usyk on the ropes but walked onto a right hook behind the ear. He rose at “8.” Seconds later a whistling left hand detonated on his chin; he crumpled for good at 1:52.
1.3 The Aftermath
Referee Steve Gray waved it off. Usyk dropped to his knees, tears mixing with sweat. Four belts—WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO—were draped across his shoulders. He had become undisputed twice at heavyweight and once at cruiserweight, a historic trifecta.
2. From Controversy to Clarity
Dubois still insists the body shot that floored Usyk last year was legal. This time there were no protests—only respectful silence. “I got caught,” Dubois admitted. “No excuses. The better man won.” Usyk responded with a smile: “Tonight, no low blows, no drama—just boxing.”
3. Usyk’s Post-Fight Message
3.1 Age Is Just a Number
“I’m 38? That’s young,” Usyk laughed in the ring. “Ask my coach. He’s 72 and still jumping rope.”
3.2 Immediate Future
Pressed on what’s next, he shrugged:
“I want to rest. I miss my wife, my kids, my cat. Two, maybe three months. Then we talk business.”
He teased the London crowd by name-dropping familiar foes—Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora—before promoter Frank Warren clarified that Joseph Parker is the WBO mandatory and almost certainly next in line.
4. Undercard Highlights: Okolie and Rising Brits
| Bout | Result | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Okolie vs. Kevin Lerena | UD 99-91, 100-90×2 | Okolie, now 19-1, looked reborn at heavyweight, controlling range with piston jabs. |
| Daniel Lapin vs. Lewis Edmondson | MD 96-94×2, 95-95 | Lapin stays unbeaten (10-0) but was pushed hard by the awkward Edmondson. |
| Solomon Dacres vs. Vladyslav Sirenko | UD 99-91, 98-92×2 | Dacres (9-0) bullied the durable Ukrainian to set up a possible British-title tilt. |
| Aadam Hamed vs. Ezequiel Gregores | Referee decision 40-36 | Prince Naseem’s nephew flashed hand speed and switch-hitting flair. |
| Lasha Guruli vs. James Francis | TKO 5 | Guruli’s body assault ended matters late; watch for him in domestic clashes. |
5. What’s Next for the Heavyweight Division?
5.1 Ordered by the WBO
Joseph Parker holds the interim strap and is on a four-fight KO streak (Wilder, Zhang, Bakole). Negotiations for Usyk-Parker could begin as early as October.
5.2 The Wildcards
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Tyson Fury posted an Instagram story from a gym at 2 a.m.—retirement rumors evaporating by the hour.
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Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora remain pay-per-view gold in the UK, even if belts aren’t on the line.
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Agit Kabayel (WBC interim) quietly looms with an unbeaten record and big German backing.
6. FAQ – Everything You Still Want to Know
Q1: Was this Usyk’s fastest stoppage at heavyweight?
No. He stopped Chazz Witherspoon in seven and Tony Bellew in eight. Dubois lasted into the fifth.
No. He stopped Chazz Witherspoon in seven and Tony Bellew in eight. Dubois lasted into the fifth.
Q2: Did Dubois land anything significant?
An overhand right in the fourth caught Usyk’s attention, but it was blocked on the glove for the most part.
An overhand right in the fourth caught Usyk’s attention, but it was blocked on the glove for the most part.
Q3: How did the judges have it before the KO?
All three cards read 40-36 for Usyk—complete dominance.
All three cards read 40-36 for Usyk—complete dominance.
Q4: Can Usyk unify indefinitely?
History says no. The IBF is notorious for stripping fighters who bypass mandatories. A Parker bout would satisfy the WBO but might leave the IBF in limbo.
History says no. The IBF is notorious for stripping fighters who bypass mandatories. A Parker bout would satisfy the WBO but might leave the IBF in limbo.
Q5: Will this fight go down as an all-time great heavyweight performance?
It’s early, but historians already compare it to Lennox Lewis’s 2002 dismantling of Mike Tyson—an older, smaller master schooling a younger puncher.
It’s early, but historians already compare it to Lennox Lewis’s 2002 dismantling of Mike Tyson—an older, smaller master schooling a younger puncher.
7. Final Thought
On a muggy London night, Oleksandr Usyk reminded the boxing world that technique, timing, and temperament still carry weight—literally and figuratively. The belts are back where he believes they belong, but the journey is far from over. As he left the ring draped in a blue-and-yellow flag, the only thing louder than the Ukrainian anthem was the roar of possibility echoing through Wembley.