By George Sessions, PA
Daniel Dubois’ undisputed world heavyweight dreams went up in smoke under the Wembley arch after he tasted defeat to Oleksandr Usyk for a second time.
Home favourite Dubois was back at the national stadium 10 months on from his stunning knockout win over Anthony Joshua and in the ring with Usyk for a second time.
Usyk had shown his class during a one-sided contest in Krakow in 2023, where Dubois was adjudged to have landed an illegal low blow in the fifth round, but the Ukrainian had been warned throughout fight week he would face a “different” boxer on this occasion.
Daniel Dubois was beaten in the fifth round (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Yet, the undefeated 38-year-old again proved too strong for Dubois. After Usyk enjoyed the better of the opening four rounds, he produced a masterful fifth-round finish to further cement his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
After Usyk put Dubois down with a powerful right punch, the British boxer bravely made it back to his feet but was floored again a matter of seconds later by a huge left hook to lose for a third time.
It earned Usyk the 24th win of a stellar professional career and ensured he got his hands back on the IBF title to add to his WBA, WBO and WBC belts and become undisputed in the blue riband division for a second time, in what was dubbed his penultimate bout.
“38 is a young guy, remember! 38 is only start,” Usyk smirked after he secured a seventh consecutive triumph against British fighters.
Even though the crowd was slightly down on the 96,000 packed in to see Dubois shock Joshua in September, the prize on offer was even greater with all four world heavyweight belts on the line for the first time in England.
Usyk hinted at another fight with Joshua or Fury (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Dubois is the third fighter from Britain, after Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, to lose twice to the 6ft 3in southpaw.
An understandably jovial Usyk hinted at another showdown with Fury and Joshua during his post-fight interview but made clear his desire to “rest” after he experienced London jubilation for a third time following Olympic gold at the London Games in 2012 and his maiden world heavyweight titles at Tottenham’s stadium four years ago.
“Next? I don’t know. I want to rest. Yeah, Derek (Chisora) here? I don’t know,” Usyk reflected before his next answer sparked enormous cheers.
“Maybe Tyson Fury?
“Three options, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot say because I want to go back home.”
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