Oleksandr Usyk has firmly pushed back against claims that his age could undermine his chances in Saturday’s highly anticipated undisputed world heavyweight title bout against Daniel Dubois.
The Ukrainian, who currently holds the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts, is 38 years old, making him 11 years senior to IBF titleholder Dubois. This age difference has led to speculation that Usyk may struggle to keep pace with his younger British challenger when they meet at Wembley Stadium.
But when questioned about the possible impact of the age gap, Usyk dismissed the concern with characteristic composure. “It’s your opinion? Maybe, I don’t know. I not feel [rattled],” he told reporters on Thursday. He went on to say, “Listen, I respect this guy, this young guy. This guy is motivated, but I am too. I am not an old guy; 38 is not old, you know? We will see on Saturday.”
This will mark the second time Usyk and Dubois share the ring. Their first meeting in Poland in 2023 ended in a ninth-round stoppage victory for Usyk. The Ukrainian remains undefeated in his 23 professional bouts and is now eyeing an extraordinary third reign as an undisputed champion.
Dubois, for his part, enters the fight with momentum, having secured three consecutive victories since his defeat to Usyk. His most notable win came at Wembley against fellow Brit Anthony Joshua in September. To follow in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis—the last British boxer to hold undisputed heavyweight status back in 1999—Dubois must overcome doubts about his mental resilience.
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, questioned Dubois’s psychological readiness, saying the British boxer is the “same guy” as he was two years ago and still exhibits “weakness” in his mindset. That comment drew a sharp response from Dubois’s trainer, Don Charles, who retorted that Klimas “must have been asleep.”
Klimas hit back, referencing Usyk’s recent accomplishments: “While I was asleep, Usyk beat Tyson Fury twice.” The Ukrainian stunned the boxing world by defeating Fury in May 2024 and repeating the feat in a December rematch, cementing his legacy among the greats.
Despite the commentary surrounding him, Dubois is focused and intent on proving his critics wrong. “Right now, I just want to get it on. I’m going to write my own script. They have their own script, I am going to write my own and win these belts and be the man,” said the 27-year-old, who boasts 21 knockouts in 22 wins with only two losses on his record.
“I’ve prepared right. I’m just on a different level now, I’m ready to come through whatever I need to on Saturday and get all those belts. I am chasing glory and I am chasing greatness,” he added.
With a steely determination, Dubois concluded that he plans to deliver a “real demolition job” on Usyk. “I’m hungry and ready for it,” he said.
When asked about a reported $500,000 bet placed by Canelo Alvarez on Usyk to win, Dubois brushed it aside. “It don’t mean nothing to me. He is going to lose his money, I am just focused now,” he stated.
“I know what I’ve got to do. I am a young lion and I just need to take over, be the man and execute him,” he declared.
What you should know
Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning WBA, WBO, and WBC heavyweight champion, is preparing to face Daniel Dubois in a unification bout at Wembley. Despite being 11 years older, Usyk has dismissed concerns about his age.
Dubois, with a strong knockout record, is seeking redemption and greatness as he attempts to become the first British undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
