Oleksandr Usyk made a triumphant return to the boxing spotlight by decisively stopping Daniel Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium, reclaiming his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion. The Ukrainian fighter's exceptional performance was witnessed by a roaring crowd of 90,000 fans, eager to see if Dubois could make history as the first Briton to unify the heavyweight division during the four-belt era.
Dubois, who entered the ring determined after a previous victory over Anthony Joshua, struggled against Usyk's tactical prowess and quick strikes. At 38 years old, Usyk demonstrated why he is considered one of boxing's greats, knocking Dubois down twice in the decisive fifth round. Dubois managed to rise after the first count but fell again, prompting his corner to throw in the towel as the referee counted.
Post-fight, Usyk expressed his desire to take a respite with family, stating, "Next, I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now." This victory also allowed Usyk to reclaim the IBF title—previously stripped from him just weeks post his 2023 unification win—and adds to his WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC belts.
Dubois, who now faces his third defeat in 25 professional bouts (all by knockout), acknowledged Usyk's skill, stating, "Take no credit away from that man, I'll be back." His career following this setback will require significant rebuilding, but options remain open, including potential fights against top competitors like Agit Kabayel and Kubrat Pulev.
Commenting on future match-ups, Usyk remains in a commanding position within boxing, targeting bouts against Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, or Joseph Parker. Fury, despite his previous retirement announcement, affirmed his belief that he remains a potential threat to Usyk, reiterating earlier victories over the champion.
As the elite of the boxing community gathered to witness this fight, the event further solidified Usyk's dominance in the heavyweight division while leaving Dubois at a crossroads in his career, looking to bounce back from this impactful defeat.