A major heavyweight showdown could be on the horizon: Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk may be set to face each other in the ring for a second time. According to a report from Ring Magazine – owned by influential promoter Turki Alalshikh – the deal for a rematch on July 12 at Wembley Stadium is reportedly close to being finalized.
Dubois, now the newly crowned IBF world champion, made headlines with a spectacular knockout win over Anthony Joshua. A planned bout against Joseph Parker in February was scrapped last minute after the Brit fell ill. Parker stayed active, stepping in against Martin Bakole and claiming victory.
Now, Dubois may get his shot at redemption against Usyk – a fight that carries both sporting significance and emotional weight. In their first meeting back in August 2023, Dubois was stopped in the ninth round by TKO, though the fight was marred by controversy. A body shot that dropped Usyk was ruled a low blow, a decision Dubois’ camp continues to dispute to this day.
Usyk, who once held all four major heavyweight titles, vacated the IBF belt in order to honor his contractual rematch with Tyson Fury. The Ukrainian is now aiming to become undisputed champion once again – for the third time in his career, having previously unified the cruiserweight division.
A second fight between Usyk and Dubois promises intrigue: Usyk, now 38, is coming off two grueling bouts with Fury, while 27-year-old Dubois is in peak physical form, having stopped his last three opponents inside the distance.
Should the fight be officially confirmed, both Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker – who had hoped for title opportunities this summer – will be left without the matchups they were targeting.
