Dubois’s Trainer Defends Pre-Fight Gathering After Usyk Defeat

Following Daniel Dubois’s defeat by knockout in the fifth round against Oleksandr Usyk, his trainer, Don Charles, addressed the controversy surrounding a pre-fight gathering held at Dubois’s residence, international media outlets have reported.

Usyk’s victory at Wembley Stadium secured his position as the undisputed heavyweight champion. However, Dubois faced criticism for arriving late to the venue. Reports then surfaced detailing a gathering hosted by Dubois’s father just hours before the match.

The decision to hold this event ahead of such a significant fight drew considerable criticism from within the boxing community. In an exclusive interview, Charles defended the gathering, stating that a similar approach was used before Dubois’s victory against Anthony Joshua.

Trainer’s Explanation

“It wasn’t a party, it was more of a gathering. We used the same format on fight day for the Anthony Joshua fight, the day he was victorious. The energy he displayed when walking out for the Anthony Joshua fight was attributed to that gathering. We took that energy from his home to the dressing room,” Charles clarified.

“That energy fueled his ring walk. Yes, we attempted to replicate it. It worked previously, so we did it again. Perhaps there were more people this time to amplify the energy. It makes logical sense,” he added.

Charles emphasized the significance of the Joshua fight but suggested that this win would have been even more impressive. He reiterated that the same strategy led to their prior success.

Trainer’s Absence from Gathering

Charles mentioned that he did not attend the gathering, as his responsibilities were focused on training. “The Joshua fight was substantial, but this one would have surpassed it. I acknowledge it might seem unconventional, but it mirrors the approach that secured our victory before,” he stated.

“I wasn’t present, as my priority was ensuring the training team was prepared and everything was in order in the dressing room. I believed he was in the correct mental state.”