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Duke McKenzie casts huge doubt on Daniel Dubois' ability to topple Oleksandr Usyk
British boxing legend Duke McKenzie has labelled Daniel Dubois a “murderous puncher” but says he expects Oleksandr Usyk to win their eagerly-anticipated rematch on Saturday night.
The contest, which will take place at Wembley Stadium and broadcast live on DAZN PPV, will pit a pound-for-pound great in Usyk, who last year had back-to-back wins against Tyson Fury, against a Dubois who is at the peak of his boxing powers.
Despite losing to Usyk in their initial encounter in Poland back in 2023, Dubois has since revitalised his career with stunning knockout victories over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and fellow Brit Anthony Joshua in the last year and a half.
With 38-year-old Usyk nearing the twilight of his illustrious tenure in the heavyweight division, 27-year-old Dubois believes his moment has arrived as he aims to become the first undisputed British champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
But McKenzie, a former three-weight world champion, says Usyk will take some stopping on Saturday night with the undisputed heavyweight title now at stake.
The 62-year-old will be rooting for his fellow Londoner Dubois but he told Seconds Out: “This is heavyweight boxing and of course Daniel is in with a shout because he’s a murderous puncher.
“A lot has been made of his new-found confidence and the way that he carries himself and projects himself in public.
“That will tell you that he’s got a different sort of state of mind and if Daniel Dubois was fighting anybody else I would back him to win, one hundred percent.
“But in Oleksandr Usyk, when I watch him fight, he’s a cruiserweight coming up to the heavyweight division.
“He’s carried his cruiserweight speed and nothing has changed with Usyk, so for Daniel Dubois to win this fight, he’s got to make it into an absolute bloodbath.
“He’s not going to get a points decision against Oleksandr Usyk because he’s not going to outbox him over 12 rounds.
“It could be a closer fight than their first fight and I don’t know if Daniel Dubois has, let’s say, the mental fortitude to go 12 rounds with someone like Usyk.
“Seven times he’s been over here – we should change his name to the Magnificent Seven – and seven times he’s gone back to the Ukraine a winner.
“That’s not luck, that’s a sign of class, and I’m a big fan of both fighters.”
- Read next | Frazer Clarke: I have sparred with Usyk and Dubois and one man hits twice as hard as the other
Dubois has vowed to “bring chaos” to the ring on Saturday night but McKenzie has questioned the 27-year-old’s bold rhetoric.
He reasoned: “The fact that Dubois is still trying to convince himself – even now – that he can win the fight, speaking from experience that’s a bit of a red flag for me.
“You wouldn’t expect him to say anything less. However, how far does that belief actually go?
“Daniel talks about his team getting him in great shape but seven different teams have tried previously and gone home as a loser every single time.
“I expect him to beat Daniel Dubois at the weekend because I still don’t think we have seen the best of Usyk.
“Daniel Dubois will bring out the best of Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.”
Usyk vs Dubois 2 only on DAZN
Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday - July 19 - for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW.
