Body Shots and ‘Dirty’ Tactics – How Daniel Dubois Can Defeat Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois 2
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Date: Saturday, 19 July
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, with text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app from 20:00 BST.
Confidence, Maturity, and Chaos – Dubois’ Path to Redemption
Daniel Dubois enters his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium with a newfound sense of confidence, maturity, and controlled chaos. Nearly two years ago, the Londoner fell short in his first bid to dethrone the Ukrainian maestro, but this time, he’s determined to rewrite history.
Since their initial clash, Dubois has rebuilt his career with three dominant victories, including a stunning knockout win over Anthony Joshua. A win against Usyk would not only earn him the WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC titles but also make him the first British fighter to unify the heavyweight division in the four-belt era.
But Usyk remains an enigma—21 fighters have tried to solve him, and 21 have failed. So, what does Dubois need to do differently this time?
What Went Wrong in Their First Fight?
In their previous meeting, Usyk was simply a step ahead. The Ukrainian dominated nearly every metric, landing 24.5% of his 359 punches compared to Dubois’ 16.2% accuracy. However, controversy struck in the fifth round when a Dubois body shot was ruled a low blow, giving Usyk nearly four minutes to recover.
That single shot—despite being deemed illegal—marked Dubois’ only real success. After landing it, he increasingly targeted Usyk’s torso, connecting with nine more body shots before the bout was stopped in the ninth round. While Usyk’s team insists he’s untouchable to the body, Dubois may have already found a potential weakness.
Could Body Shots Be the Key for Dubois?
Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles, hasn’t shied away from the topic. At a pre-fight press conference, he accused Usyk of exaggerating the low blow, even quipping that the Ukrainian “should win an Oscar” for his performance. Usyk dismissed the claims as “empty words,” but the mental warfare has been relentless.
Statistically, Dubois has thrived when attacking the body in recent fights. Against Jarrell Miller, he landed a career-high 50 body shots en route to a 10th-round stoppage. He replicated this approach against Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua, proving he can wear down elite opponents with relentless pressure to the midsection.
Usyk’s camp insists his core strength is unmatched—he even humorously allowed trainers to strike his stomach with foam sticks during an open workout. But if Dubois can sustain a disciplined body attack, he may disrupt Usyk’s rhythm and slow his movement.
A Dirty Fight on the Horizon?
Dubois and Charles have developed a close bond since their first bout, refining their strategy for the Ukrainian mastermind. Their game plan? Precision, aggression, and controlled chaos.
BBC analyst Steve Bunce noted that Dubois struggled with Usyk’s footwork last time, often finding himself outpaced and outmaneuvered. This time, Charles has emphasized the second phase of attacks—follow-up strikes to cut off Usyk’s angles.
Dubois’ punch output dropped significantly against Usyk compared to his usual average, indicating hesitation. To win, he must close the distance without fear, even if it means embracing a rougher fight style.
“He’ll get warned for using his shoulders and forearms,” Bunce predicts. “This is going to be a dirty fight.”
Can Dubois Seize the Moment?
The first fight exposed Dubois’ inexperience. The hostile Polish crowd, the magnitude of the occasion—everything overwhelmed him. But his recent victories have hardened his resolve.
“When the bell rings, my approach is simple: seek, destroy, and bring chaos,” Dubois told BBC Sport. This newfound aggression could be vital against a tactician like Usyk.
With a packed Wembley crowd behind him, Dubois has the chance to make history. Will he crumble under the pressure once more, or will his relentless body shots and tactical fouls be enough to topple the unbeaten champion?
Final Thoughts
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Daniel Dubois. He has the power, the strategy, and the motivation—but beating a fighter of Usyk’s caliber requires flawless execution. If he can exploit the body, disrupt Usyk’s rhythm, and embrace a gritty, high-pressure fight, he just might pull off one of the greatest upsets in British boxing history.
For now, the world waits to see whether Dubois’ body shot strategy and relentless aggression will be enough to dethrone the king.
