Usyk vs Dubois 2 key tactics to victory: How Usyk or Dubois can become undisputed heavyweight champion at Wembley

Oleksandr Usyk’s supreme sweet science skills eventually overwhelmed Daniel Dubois toward a ninth-round knockout in their initial clash in August 2023.

But the victory came equipped with a slice of controversy as Dubois’ body shot sending Usyk to the canvas in the fifth round was ruled a low blow , despite replays showing the punch landing flush on the belt line.

All being said, the two will meet in a highly-anticipated rematch for the undisputed heavyweight crown tonight - Saturday, July 19 - as Usyk’s unified heavyweight world championship and Dubois’ IBF title will be on the line at Wembley , and live on DAZN PPV .

Since defeating Dubois, Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) pieced together back-to-back points wins over Tyson Fury in 2024 — the first being a split-decision in May and a unanimous nod in December.

Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) has shown growth since suffering the defeat to Usyk, having rattled off knockout victories over Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, who he dominated within five rounds last September.

Will Usyk produce another masterclass, giving him two victories apiece over British heavyweights Joshua, Fury, and Dubois? Or will Dubois stop Usyk to snatch the undisputed crown in a grand upset, ushering in his own heavyweight era of dominance?

With undisputed glory at stake between Usyk and Dubois, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for both champions.

How does Oleksandr Usyk beat Dubois again?

Rely on in and out movement

With nimble footwork, Oleksandr Usyk’s in and out movement confuses, stifles and sometimes even freezes his opponents in frustration.

Dubois was not exempt from falling victim to Usyk’s movement in and out the pocket as the Ukrainian used his dance to pepper the British fighter with unexpected shots and creative combinations pieced together on the fly.

It is a nightmare that Usyk will likely force Dubois to deal with again.

 

Utilize straight right hand more

A slick, straight right hand that appeared to be rather unassuming from the southpaw was blunt enough to put Dubois on hands and knees for a stunning ninth-round KO.

Uncorking the shot, especially given Dubois’ penchant to abandon his guard often, could be an unsuspecting way that Usyk pressures his opponent and keeps him guessing in and out the pocket.

Pick spots to pressure with combinations

What is most frustrating about Usyk is while he is not known for his power, his superior boxing brilliance allows him to execute power punches with precision.

When he sees an opening, Usyk must string together combinations to stun Dubois.

The Ukrainian did this with subtle adjustments in movement and was able to generate a multi-punch flurry that dropped Dubois in the seventh round.

He puts these kind of creative combos together in the rematch and boxing could very see a two-time undisputed heavyweight world crown holder.

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

How does Daniel Dubois beat Usyk this time?

Pound the body early and often

From watching Usyk-Dubois 1, it is abundantly clear that Dubois hurt Usyk with body shots.

He fired a right hand on the belt line to drop Usyk during the fifth round with replays showing that the savvy champ might have played up a low blow to spell recovery time in a strategy that worked.

But that did not deter Dubois from damaging Usyk to the body with clubbing right hooks in the seventh round.

For this rematch, Dubois must pound the body early and often in hopes that it slows Usyk’s movement down or ends his reign altogether.

 

Unleash the whiplashing overhand right

Since losing to Usyk, Dubois has developed his whiplashing overhand right into being a monstrous punch.

After all, the shot helped eviscerate ‘AJ’ in five rounds toward an eye-popping knockout in September.

That said, Dubois must time and unleash this shot against Usyk, too.

The results if it connects can be emphatic for ‘DDD.’

Be mindful of keeping a higher guard

Watch the footage of the Usyk-Dubois clash and one will note an absence of a guard from Dubois when he was caught and dropped during the seventh and ninth rounds.

Usyk is far too skilled of a boxer for Dubois to have a lapse in defense so egregious.

Dubois must be more mindful of keeping a disciplined guard especially when Usyk is hiding punches and giving the British fighter a false reality of there being a lull in the action.

He does not do this and we are likely to see Usyk become a two-time undisputed king at heavyweight.

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. 

Buy the PPV now here .