Usyk Triumphs Over Dubois, Claims Undisputed Title Again

Barry McGuigan, a Hall of Fame inductee and former world featherweight champion, suggests that British heavyweight Daniel Dubois may have suffered lasting damage following his recent knockout defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, according to reports.

The Ukrainian boxer, Usyk, secured victory over Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium, reclaiming his title as the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Usyk has made history as the first boxer to achieve undisputed champion status on three separate occasions, previously dominating at cruiserweight (2018) and now heavyweight (2024).

Daniel Dubois initially faced Usyk in August 2023, where the Ukrainian emerged victorious with a ninth-round knockout in Poland, after having knocked down the British boxer twice.

In an interview, McGuigan, the former world featherweight champion, expressed his belief that Dubois is now ‘damaged’, but he acknowledged that the Brit’s exceptional knockout power could pave the way for a comeback.

McGuigan stated, “Dubois has the potential to return, but he now carries the weight of being damaged, and opponents will be aware of his vulnerability to being knocked out.”

He further elaborated, “Dubois is an instinctive fighter, a powerhouse with immense strength. When he gets into punching range, any opponent he connects with squarely is likely to go down. However, transforming him into a strategic, thinking fighter is a daunting task, perhaps even impossible. Therefore, I am uncertain if he can improve in that aspect.”

McGuigan concluded, “He needs to secure a series of victories to rebuild his confidence. He possesses the power to knock out any opponent, as he has demonstrated repeatedly. He must strive to turn his career around. While he is still young enough to achieve this, I am unsure if he will ever attain the learning capacity of a fighter like Usyk, as he may lack the mental aptitude for such development.”