Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois Pre-Fight Notebook

WROCŁAW, Poland (Aug. 24, 2023) —  Ukraine’s unified WBA/WBO/IBF world champion, Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs), puts his heavyweight hardware on the line against London’s Daniel Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs) this Saturday, Aug. 26 at Tarczyński Arena Wrocław in Wroclaw, Poland.

Usyk will make the second defense of his unified crown after moving up to heavyweight in 2019 following a historic run to the undisputed cruiserweight championship. Usyk defeated reigning champion Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision in September 2021 and prevailed by split decision last August in their rematch. Dubois has won four fights by stoppage since a TKO loss to countryman Joe Joyce in 2020.

Usyk-Dubois will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ as a special one-fight broadcast starting at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. Ring walks are expected shortly thereafter.

At Thursday’s press conference, this is what the fighters had to say:

Oleksandr Usyk

“My preparation is all good. We did a lot of work with swimming. We played football. We danced.”

“I’m grateful to my team, my family, my wife. I’m grateful to my country and to Ukrainian soldiers.”

Daniel Dubois

“I’m ready. I’ve suffered through training camp. I’ve done all of that. I’m ready now. I’ve prepared. I’ve left no stone unturned. I’m ready. I’m confident. I’m ready to go right now.”

Note: Usyk vs. Dubois, a special one-fight broadcast, will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ at 5 pm/ET / 2 pm PT.

Photo credit: Piotr Duszczyk

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