Daniel Dubois – the unassuming champion with a puncher’s chance

Boxing is rarely short on hype but for once, you could be forgiven for forgetting that there is a fight for the undisputed heavyweight world championship taking place at Wembley this weekend.

Daniel Dubois will defend his IBF title in a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, while also attempting to wrest the remaining belts from the Ukrainian. Yet the build-up has been understated, to say the least.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua dominated the heavyweight scene for a long time – both internationally and in the UK – until Usyk changed all that, first by taking away Joshua’s collection of world titles, then by twice outpointing Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Dubois has now moved into pole position as Britain’s top heavyweight after beating Joshua in emphatic fashion, while Fury has called time on his career – for now, at least.

The Londoner’s rise is even more remarkable considering just how far down the domestic pecking order he fell after a 2020 loss to Joe Joyce. Now, he holds the IBF title that Usyk vacated, and he goes into Saturday’s showdown looking to avenge the other loss on his record.

If Joshua or Fury were fighting Usyk this weekend at Wembley, the coverage would be huge. I can guarantee you’d be bored of the words ‘redemption’ and ‘revenge’ by now.

Fury has a huge personality and is an exceptional self-promoter, and his pre-fight quips and antics frequently capture headlines. As a nation, we bought into Joshua’s story after his Olympic success, and he’s no stranger to a quotable soundbite either.

The narrative around Dubois just doesn't capture the imagination in quite the same way.

Initially under his father’s guidance, he’s been boxing from a young age and the ultimate goal has always been to become the world heavyweight champion. A single-minded trajectory – but one that doesn’t generate the same level of intrigue, particularly when the protagonist cuts a shy and quiet figure outside the ring.

In terms of what goes on inside the squared circle, however, Dubois always brings entertainment – and his first fight with Usyk was no exception. The Ukrainian won via a ninth-round KO, but the fight was not without controversy, as Dubois sent the champion crashing to the canvas in the fifth round with a shot that was ruled a low blow.

For what it’s worth, I think the referee got it right on the night, but Dubois and his team are convinced they were denied a stoppage. The key takeaway, however, is that Dubois knows he can hurt Usyk, and he only needs one shot. Had that punch landed an inch or so higher, it would still have knocked Usyk down – and it would have been a legal shot, with no room for doubt.

A rematch with Usyk is the ultimate test, but Dubois’ physicality and power give him a route to victory. He has made no secret of his intention to put Usyk under sustained pressure, and that approach gives him a puncher’s chance of pulling off an upset.

The phrase ‘a puncher’s chance’ is often considered derogatory in boxing, but when used to sum up Dubois’ prospects against Usyk, it really isn’t meant that way.

Since he stepped up to the heavyweight division, nobody has really tried to apply that kind of pressure on Usyk – except Derek Chisora, who didn’t have the speed or stamina to stick to the task. But perhaps Dubois does.

I’m expecting Usyk to win again, and I suspect he’ll record another stoppage. But Dubois deserves this opportunity and he should have received a bit more fanfare going into the fight.

Usyk showed his boxing brain and ringcraft against Joshua and Fury, but for his rematch with Dubois he might have to rely more heavily on his speed and reflexes.

There’s potential for this to be the most explosive fight the Ukrainian superstar has been involved in since his move up to heavyweight, even if it doesn’t go the full 12 rounds.

Read more on Uysk vs Dubois 2:

Click here for Gareth Freeman's preview of the main event  

Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 Bet Builder tips: a 16-1 treble for the main event   

Usyk vs Dubois 2 undercard predictions  

Usyk vs Dubois 2: date, start time, odds and how to watch this Saturday 

Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.