Usyk vs Dubois 2 - Daniel Dubois set to make major change ahead of undisputed title fight

IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois will make a major change to his strategy ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

On July 19, exclusively live on DAZN PPV, Dubois will attempt to become the undisputed heavyweight champion against Usyk at Wembley Stadium in a rematch of their 2023 contest. 

Usyk managed to stop Dubois in the ninth round of their first encounter, but there was a moment of controversy when Dubois floored the Ukrainian with a body shot in round five.

However, the referee deemed the punch a 'low blow' and gave Usyk ample time to recover. While two years may have passed, it's a debate which continues to rage on between the two camps and it became the subject of a heated exchange during the launch press conference for the upcoming rematch. 

Speaking exclusively to DAZN's Carl Frampton, Dubois remains adamant that he was "robbed" in the first fight against Usyk.

"I thought it landed. We worked on that shot for a long time in camp. I feel like they robbed me," Dubois said. 

When it comes to finding a weakness in Usyk, all his 23 professional opponents have tried and failed.

 

Dubois on the other hand believes the body is a potential flaw in the pound-for-pound great, but after coming so close to beating Usyk two years ago, 'Dynamite' revealed a change in his strategy ahead of the rematch and explained how the first fight had a positive effect on his career.

"There might be. He’s been down a few times with body shots. This time I’ve got to throw the kitchen sink at him, land everywhere.

"I feel like that fight and the training camp I did for that fight helped me massively for the next three fights I had so I feel like I’m a better fighter now, more improved, better condition.

"If people are thinking it’s going to be the same, then they’re in for a shock."

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If Dubois is able to shock his doubters and Usyk, then it will be the perfect crescendo to what has been an impressive 19 months.

With three successive knockout wins, the latest coming against Anthony Joshua in September, Dubois has the chance to become the first British heavyweight to hold all four major world title belts.

But it's not just this history making feat which would catapult Dubois into the boxing stratosphere, beating a pound-for-pound legend in Usyk would immediately thrust 'Dynamite' into the conversation as being one of the greats in this stacked era of heavyweights. 

Watch Usyk vs Dubois 2 exclusively live on DAZN PPV, Saturday, July 19 for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here