Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will put his unified WBA/WBO/IBF world titles on the line in a showdown against WBA mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois. The fight will take place live on ESPN on Saturday, August 26 at the Tarczyński Arena Wrocław in Wroclaw, Poland.
36-year-old southpaw Usyk, aspiring to be a two-weight undisputed champion, will face London’s powerhouse, Dubois, during the Ukrainian Independence Day weekend. The event is promoted by K2 Promotions in collaboration with Queensberry and will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ in the United States.
Champion Usyk: From Cruiserweight to Heavyweight
Usyk, a two-time Olympian and 2012 gold medalist, boasts a professional record of 20-0, with 13 knockouts. His impressive amateur career ended with a 335-15 record. Turning pro in 2013, he captured the WBO cruiserweight world title in 2016, defeating Krzysztof Glowacki. Usyk became the undisputed cruiser champion in 2018 by winning the WBC title against Mairis Breidis and the WBA and IBF belts against Murat Gassiev. He defended his titles with a TKO victory over Tony Bellew before moving to the heavyweight division with a win over Chazz Witherspoon. Usyk then earned a decision victory over Derek Chisora and defeated Anthony Joshua to become the unified heavyweight champion. He is now fresh off a win in a rematch against Joshua.
Dubois: A Rising Force in Heavyweight Boxing
Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs) embarked on his professional journey in April 2017 with a swift victory over Marcus Kelly. He enjoyed an undefeated run in his first three years as a pro, before his first loss to Joe Joyce in November 2020. Since then, Dubois has bounced back with four consecutive wins, including a remarkable knockout against previously undefeated American contender Trevor Bryan. Dubois, just 25 years old, comes into this match following a third-round TKO win against Kevin Lerena last December.
Jared Anderson
“Getting back to training after my last fight? Piece of cake. We took a short break and then it was back to the grindstone. Sharpening our skills and getting ready to rock.”
“I’ve been trained to move like I’m lighter since I was a kid. It’s what I do. Come Saturday, you’ll see me stick to my game plan, use my speed, and do what it takes to win. I know I’m great, and I’m not afraid to show it.”
Andriy Rudenko
“Today’s a big day back home – Ukrainian Independence Day. We’re here thanks to our brave soldiers, and I’m pumped to represent my country.”
“Fighting in the U.S. is a dream come true for me. I know my opponent’s tough, but I’ve got plans for him. Just wait till Saturday.”
Efe Ajagba
“This fight’s a big deal, but I’m ready. I trained hard, and I know I can win. He’s a good fighter, but I’ve got what it takes.”
“Big thanks to my opponent for taking this fight. I know who he is, and I’ve been training hard. Saturday night, it’s going down.”
Zhan Kossobutskiy
“I’ve been waiting forever for this chance, and now it’s here – my debut on ESPN. It feels awesome.”
“I’m super happy about this fight. I’ve faced tough guys before, and it’s only made me better. My opponent should expect the same. Saturday’s going to be a blast.”
Nico Ali Walsh
“We’ve been working on so much in camp. Dodging punches, building defense – it’s been different, and I’m excited to show what I’ve got.”
Jeremiah Milton
“I’ve been busy, climbing the ranks, making an impact. It’s been amazing.”
“Tulsa’s my city, and they love a good fight. Knockouts, big performances – that’s what the fans want, and that’s what they’ll get.”