Oleksandr Usyk reaffirmed his place among boxing’s elite on Saturday night with a sensational fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois to reclaim the undisputed heavyweight championship at Wembley Stadium.
In front of a roaring crowd of 90,000, the Ukrainian star showcased his class and composure, dominating the British challenger to unify the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles—cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The highly anticipated rematch followed their controversial 2023 bout in Poland, which Usyk also won amid debate over a disputed low blow. This time, there was no doubt.
From the opening bell, the 38-year-old southpaw took control, dictating the tempo with sharp jabs and elusive footwork. Dubois, 27, struggled to connect with anything meaningful, often frustrated by Usyk’s slick movement and pinpoint counters.
The fifth round saw Dubois attempt to rally, backing Usyk into a corner with a brief offensive surge. But the Ukrainian responded in emphatic fashion—landing a powerful right hook behind Dubois’ ear that dropped the Londoner to the canvas.
Although Dubois managed to beat the count, a thunderous left hand seconds later left him unable to continue. Referee Mike Griffin waved off the contest at 1:52 of the round.
“I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ, my team, and Wembley,” Usyk said in his post-fight interview with DAZN. “It’s for the people.”
When asked about his future plans, Usyk remained reserved. “I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children. I want to go back home,” he said.
Dubois, now 22-3 with 21 knockouts, was gracious in defeat. “I gave everything I had,” he told DAZN. “Take no credit away from the man. I’ll be back.”
The victory marks Usyk’s third reign as an undisputed champion—once at cruiserweight and now twice at heavyweight—maintaining his perfect professional record of 24 wins, including 15 by knockout.
Promoter Frank Warren revealed that the WBO has ordered a mandatory title defense against interim champion Joseph Parker. However, Usyk hinted at potential blockbuster rematches with Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, or Derek Chisora.
In an unexpected post-fight moment, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul entered the ring for a brief face-off. Usyk dismissed the gesture with a handshake but later suggested he might consider an MMA bout in the future.
The undercard delivered its own share of action. Lawrence Okolie claimed a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Lerena, while Daniel Lapin edged out Lewis Edmondson via majority decision.
