Oleksandr Usyk reaffirmed his legacy as one of boxing’s greats on Friday night, reclaiming his spot as the undisputed heavyweight world champion with a commanding fifth-round technical knockout of Britain’s Daniel Dubois at a sold-out Wembley Stadium.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian maestro put on a masterclass in movement, timing, and precision, overwhelming a younger and heavier Dubois with his signature counter-punching and elite footwork. The victory allowed Usyk to retain his WBC, WBA, and WBO belts while recapturing the IBF title, which he had vacated last year in anticipation of a unification clash with Tyson Fury that never materialized.
“Thirty-eight? That’s just a number!” Usyk said in his post-fight remarks, beaming with joy. “Thanks to Jesus Christ, my incredible team, and every fan here tonight. This win belongs to all of you.”
Usyk, who tipped the scales at a personal best of 227.3 pounds, moved with the fluidity of a much lighter man. From the opening bell, he took control, outmaneuvering Dubois and landing clean shots in nearly every exchange. After claiming three of the first four rounds on all judges’ scorecards, Usyk brought the night to a thunderous conclusion in the fifth—first flooring Dubois with a sharp right hand, then sealing the deal with a thunderous left uppercut that sent his opponent crashing down for good.
With the win, Usyk extends his flawless professional record to 24-0 and secures his third reign as an undisputed world champion—twice in the heavyweight division and once as a cruiserweight, a rare feat in the modern era.
Dubois, 27, showed grit and courage throughout but was outclassed technically and tactically.
“Respect to him—he was the better man tonight,” Dubois admitted to DAZN. “I gave it everything I had. I’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
The bout was a rematch of their controversial 2023 encounter in Wroclaw, Poland, where a contentious low blow gave Usyk time to recover before he rallied to stop Dubois in the ninth round. This time, there was no controversy—only dominance.
Looking ahead, Usyk hinted at several potential matchups but made it clear that family comes first.
“Maybe Tyson Fury. Maybe Chisora. Maybe Anthony Joshua or Joseph Parker. I don’t know right now,” he said with a smile. “First, I rest. I go home.”
Earlier in the evening, British cruiserweight contender Lawrence Okolie earned a hard-fought unanimous decision win over South Africa’s Kevin Lerena, solidifying his own comeback on the undercard of an unforgettable night in London.
