'It wasn't a party!' - Daniel Dubois trainer reveals what really happened before Usyk defeat

Daniel Dubois' pre-fight party before his loss to Oleksandr Usyk was a "gathering", insists his trainer Don Charles, who revealed the star held a similar event before he faced Anthony Joshua.

The Briton was stopped in five rounds by the Ukrainian at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with the latter claiming the IBF belt for undisputed heavyweight status once more.

Subsequent reports emerged of a pre-bout social event focused on Dubois, with leading figures critical of what appeared to be less-than-conducive preparations for the clash.

The star furthermore arrived late at the stadium for his encounter, but now trainer Charles has sought to clarify the situation, suggesting that it was an intentional tactical choice.

"It wasn't a party, it was a gathering," he told talkSPORT. "The same gathering was used as the prep on fight day for the AJ fight, the day he won.

"A lot was made of it with the energy he walked out at for the Anthony Joshua fight. That gathering was taken from home to the dressing room for that fight.

"That energy is what gave birth to that energy that he showed in the ring walk. Yes [we tried to replicate it], we were victorious. If it works for you the first time, you'd do it again.

"There might have been more people for this second gathering to get more energy, I'm a logical man and it makes logical sense.

"The AJ fight was big but this even trumps it, I try to understand and it may appear madness to people but it was the same thing that got us victory.

"I wasn't there and I chose not to go there. My duty is on the training team to make sure we go to the dressing room and make sure everything is intact."

Ultimately, preparations failed to prevent Dubois from falling to a third career loss and second against Usyk, as the veteran fighter delivered a brutal performance to seal victory.

The 27-year-old will now need to rebuild for another shot at a top title, while his opponent is likely to entertain multiple options for his reported final fight before retirement.

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