OLEKSANDR Usyk and Daniel Dubois opted for a laid-back approach to today’s press conference, while their respective teams engaged in a verbal back-and-forth.
The pair will collide on Saturday night, entering an eagerly-awaited rematch, this time for the undisputed heavyweight crown, at Wembley Stadium, London.
Their first encounter, which took place in 2023, delivered a largely one-sided contest, with Usyk, 23-0 (14 KOs), emerging victorious following an emphatic ninth-round finish.
But since then, Dubois, 22-2 (21 KOs), has reinvented himself as a no-nonsense wrecking machine, amassing stoppage victories over Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic and Jarrell Miller.
While enjoying a scintillating run of form, the 27-year-old – who, after it was relinquished by Usyk, collected the IBF world title along the way – has also established himself as a universally recognised number-two ranked heavyweight.
Usyk, meanwhile, comes off back-to-back points victories over Tyson Fury, with the masterful technician now looking to become a three-time undisputed king across two divisions.
As for today’s media event, Dubois kicked off proceedings by explaining exactly how he intends to approach their fight in two days’ time.
“I’m chasing glory, and I’m chasing greatness,” ‘Dynamite’ said. “I’ve just got to do a real demolition job and I’m hungry – I’m ready for it.”
Soon after, Usyk’s long-term manager, Egis Klimas, suggested that the narrative surrounding Dubois’ psychological development in recent years is little more than a myth, designed to drum up hype around the event.
In response, Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles, said: “He must’ve been fast asleep [during Dubois’ last three victories]. Can someone please wake him up?”
Klimas replied: “While I was sleeping, Oleksandr beat Tyson Fury two times.”
During the press conference, Usyk reiterated that the soldiers fighting in Ukraine remain his primary motivation ahead of this rematch.
The 38-year-old also insisted that he is by no means too old, or in fact over the hill, before predicting that he will stop Dubois once again.
