Daniel Dubois on ‘unfinished business’ with Oleksandr Usyk - ‘I need to go in there and right that wrong’
Published 07/09/2024 at 12:49 GMT+1
Daniel Dubois hopes to meet Oleksandr Usyk in the ring for a rematch after his fight with Anthony Joshua on September 21, live on TNT Sports Box Office. Dubois was controversially beaten in his last clash with Usyk and there is potential for the Ukrainian to return to cruiserweight. "There is definitely unfinished business with me and Usyk, and that's part of my rise," Dubois said.
Highlights as Noakes stops Ceglia to defend European lightweight title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Daniel Dubois hopes to settle “unfinished business” with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch following his bout with Anthony Joshua later this month.
The Ukrainian has previously considered a return to the cruiserweight division in a bid to reclaim the undisputed crown he held before stepping up to heavyweight in 2018.
But Dubois has revealed that he would be keen to reunite with Usyk first and “right that wrong” following his ninth-round defeat to the 37-year-old in controversial circumstances last year.
A fifth-round shot from Dubois was ruled a low blow, but many believed it was a legal punch which would have potentially resulted in a knockout victory for the Londoner.
"I need to go in there and right that wrong," Dubois told Sky Sports. "There is definitely unfinished business with me and Usyk, and that's part of my rise.
“I was in a dark place before and I'm coming into the light, so I need to get that back.
"He was at cruiserweight before and I'm sure he could come back up, but let's see how the future plays out."
Usyk's decision to give up his IBF belt and undisputed heavyweight champion status meant Dubois was promoted to interim world champion following his stoppage of Filip Hrgovic in round eight.
The victory against Hrgovic in Saudi Arabia was a statement performance for Dubois.
The Greenwich-born fighter revealed that he learnt plenty from that night in Riyadh after a “shaky” start and profited hugely from having his family in his corner to see him through.
"It was to just keep digging deep," Dubois said. "Like my dad was saying from outside the ring, 'Don't wait, don't wait!'
- Dominant Noakes defends European title with stoppage of Ceglia
- How to watch Joshua v Dubois live on TNT Sports Box Office as Liam Gallagher set to perform
"Once I start throwing at them, they have to defend. The best form of defence is attack, so I learnt from that fight to attack and attack and keep going.
"It's massive [having his dad ringside]. You just need that, to kick you up the backside and get on with it!
"I started off a bit shaky, but I got into it once the rhythm went. I felt the vibe and I had the right people in my corner, so it was great."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/07/image-99538c51-8af5-4c49-a349-09e436d10bf9-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Daniel Dubois
Image credit: Getty Images
Dubois’s next opponent is former unified world champion Joshua, who he will lock horns with at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, September 21 - live on TNT Sports Box Office.
A victory over the 34-year-old could open the door for a potential rematch with Usyk, should the veteran overcome Tyson Fury again in their December rematch.
Should he triumph over Joshua, Dubois said: "It puts me at the top of the tree now. It does make me the king, for sure."
HOW TO WATCH JOSHUA V DUBOIS
Joshua v Dubois on TNT Sports Box Office can be watched on discovery+, EE TV and Prime Video. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event. It will be available to buy on EE TV and discovery+ from September 13.
discovery+ - TNT Sports Box Office events are available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TVs, computers or mobile devices. Viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/ppv-purchases and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
EE TV - Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video - Customers do not need to have any channel or Prime subscription to access this event. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the “Live and upcoming events” row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page, or by searching for a specific event title.
Watch Anthony Joshua take on Daniel Dubois on Sep. 21 on TNT Sports Box Office
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement