Oleksandr Usyk returns to the ring on Saturday as the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion defends his titles against Briain’s Daniel Dubois.
This is Usyk’s first outing since claiming a second victory against Anthony Joshua more than a year ago, having failed to reach an agreement for a huge unification clash with Tyson Fury.
- Oleksandr Usyk to win by KO, TKO or Disqualification
- Under 7.5 rounds
- Oleksandr Usyk to record two or more knockdowns
Usyk To Avoid Dubois Explosion
After stepping up from cruiserweight, Usyk has adapted to the heavyweight division with ease. After taking out Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, he claimed back-to-back wins over Anthony Joshua to take AJ’s collection of titles.
Dubois is challenging for a world title for the first time after working his way into the mandatory position for the WBA belt and few could deny he deserves this opportunity, but this looks close to an impossible task for the Londoner.
Usyk boasts incredible speed and accuracy, and has never really been in trouble over the course of his 20-fight career aside from in a 2018 clash with Mairis Briedis, which he won via majority decision.
The only real route to victory here for Dubois is via a stoppage and ‘Dynamite’, who has won 18 of his 20 fights inside the distance, clearly has the power - but it seems unlikely that he will be able to get the chance to use it.
Dubois and his team will be well aware that they will almost certainly need a stoppage to win so he has to go for it at some point, and Usyk is more than capable of landing some big shots on the counter. Dubois’ only defeat so far came via a 10th-round loss at the hands of Joe Joyce but he was knocked down three times inside the first round against Kevin Lerena in his last outing, and with Usyk likely to be able to land at regular intervals the Ukrainian can claim a win by either KO, TKO or disqualification.
USYK TO WIN BY KO, TKO OR DISQUALIFICATION
Early Finish Possible In Poland
There is a good chance that both of these fighters will feel the need to get the job done quickly on Saturday.
Dubois has 19 wins and 18 knockouts - and all 18 of those stoppages have come inside the first five rounds. The Briton will want to try to impose himself on the contest as quickly as he can and unload some of those power punches, and that should give Usyk some early opportunities of his own by using his speed and elusiveness to stay out of trouble and pick his own shots.
The defending champion will clearly be wary of Dubois’ power, and if he does sense the chance to claim a stoppage he is likely to take it rather than risk allowing the Briton to recover - so backing under 7.5 rounds make sense whichever fighter you favour for this title fight.
Dubois Courage Not Under Question
The manner of Dubois’ defeat to Joyce led some to question his heart, but the fact he recovered from three knockdowns to beat Lerena has perhaps dispelled that idea.
Usyk doesn’t boast incredible power nor does he have one-punch stoppage ability so it may take him a while to break his opponent down. Dubois is challenging for a world title for the first time and clearly won’t give up easily, so backing Usyk to record at least two knockdowns appeals.
UYSK TO RECORD TWO OR MORE KNOCKDOWNS
