‘It’s going to be a bloodbath’: Dubois promises to KO Usyk in rematch

Daniel Dubois says he’ll knock Oleksandr Usyk out in their rematch.

Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will meet on July 19 in a rematch of their controversial 2023 fight, where Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round, but only after going down for what would have been a 10-count on a shot that was ruled to be below the belt.

Dubois (22-2, 21 KO) and his team are adamant that Usyk (23-0, 14 KO) was acting and that it was a legal blow, with trainer Don Charles saying to Usyk, “You should be given an Oscar for the performance. You conned the referee, you conned us, you conned the boxing world.”

Dubois is eager to make a statement in the undisputed championship rematch, which will be held at Wembley Stadium.

“I get a chance to put that wrong right and clear up that controversy. I can’t wait to put him to sleep on the night,” Dubois said at their launch press conference.

Dubois cites his recent excellent form, including wins last year over Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, and believes that at 27, he’s coming into his peak.

“I think I’m on fire now. It’s going to be a bloodbath. I’m going to put all that controversy to rest and show I’m the man of the future,” he said. “He’ll be doing a funny dance when I hit him. We don’t care about no body shots, we’re going to knock him out.”

Usyk, for his part, basically shrugged off the fire and trash talk, which is his usual way of handling things. His two wins over Tyson Fury last year have him as the clear No. 1 man in the division and arguably the pure best fighter in the sport today, pound-for-pound.

He and manager Alexander Krassyuk have basically the same stance, with Usyk saying he “respects all (his) opponents,” and saying anything right now is “just talking.” Krassyuk believes Dubois is a more mature fighter than before, and that he cannot be underestimated, but that Usyk is “still hungry” and aiming to prove he’s still the top dog in the division at age 38.