Oleksandr Usyk Reacts To Daniel Dubois’ Brutal Victory Over Fabio Wardley
WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his views after Daniel Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley. The bout with Wardley was a rousing 11th-round finish earlier this month at Co-op Live, and it was a huge event for the division that was one of the biggest contests of the year in a matter of moments.
It marked Dubois’ second heavyweight title as he came out of some tough-looking early rounds, after two knockdowns, to finish the night as the victor.
Wardley’s Title Reign Ends Quickly
Wardley entered the fight as the WBO heavyweight champion after being elevated to full champion status following Usyk’s decision to vacate the title. The Ipswich heavyweight had been rolling up momentum all year, having enjoyed success against Justis Huni and Joseph Parker, amongst others, to become one of the newer names in the heavyweight division.
The bout was very physical and chaotic, and although he had a great start, Wardley’s reign as world titleholder was short-lived against Dubois. Dubois slowly worked his way past his early troubles and started to score a few hits as the bout continued before forcing the stoppage in the 11th round.
Usyk Questions Wardley’s Strategy
Usyk criticized Fabio Wardley’s tactical approach during the fight, particularly his lack of consistent jab usage. Usyk questioned why Wardley relied so heavily on throwing right hands instead of establishing his jab throughout the contest. According to the Ukrainian champion, that strategy made the fight unnecessarily dangerous and allowed Dubois to settle into a brawling rhythm.
Usyk also described the contest as more of a street fight than a technical boxing match and expressed concern about the physical toll the fight may have taken on both heavyweights. While praising Dubois for his victory and toughness, Usyk admitted he worries about the long-term health impact that such punishing fights can create for boxers.
Dubois Revives Heavyweight Career
Dubois’ win was one of his biggest in his comeback from disappointing losses earlier in his career. The Brit had been criticized in his previous fights with top contenders like Usyk, but his triumph has brought him back onto the elite list of the division.
Dubois’ ability to battle through adversity against Wardley and secure a late stoppage further strengthened his reputation as one of the heavyweight division’s most dangerous punchers. The victory also sparked thoughts about future championship chances and rematches with some of boxing’s greatest names.
Usyk’s Future Plans Remain Unclear
Before the Wardley-Dubois fight took place, Usyk had publicly expressed interest in facing the winner as part of his pursuit to once again become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Those plans could be on hold after Wardley reportedly exercised his rematch clause for a second bout with Dubois “immediately.” That means Usyk might have to wait to potentially face either heavyweight again.
Meanwhile, fans seem more eager to see Usyk take on other contenders for the world title than another bout with Dubois, whom he already has a pair of defeats against on his record. Others like Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma are also becoming popular as potential rivals to the Ukrainian champion.
The Heavyweight Division Will Keep Changing
The Dubois vs Wardley clash introduced yet another wild card to an already wild card-heavy heavyweight showdown. Wardley’s first real challenge of his title reign, and Dubois again showed that he can overcome adversity at the top. Usyk is still at the heart of the division’s biggest questions, as fans wonder who will be in his division next after his next bout with Rico Verhoeven later this week.
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