Strong but ignorant. Daniel Dubois’ limitations will cost him against Usyk

In the ever-evolving world of heavyweight boxing, power alone is no longer enough to secure greatness. Daniel Dubois, known for his raw strength and knockout power, finds himself on the brink of a career-defining challenge. Standing in his path is none other than Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian technician and current unified heavyweight champion. While Dubois boasts the kind of power that can end a fight in seconds, his glaring limitations—particularly in defense, footwork, and ring IQ—could prove fatal against an elite tactician like Usyk.

This upcoming bout represents more than just a title defense for Usyk or a title shot for Dubois; it’s a clash of styles, philosophies, and skill levels. While the British contender might look like a future champion on paper, his lack of boxing sophistication could leave him exposed against one of the most cerebral fighters in the sport.

Let’s break down why Daniel Dubois’ weaknesses, if left uncorrected, are likely to be ruthlessly exploited by Oleksandr Usyk in their anticipated showdown.

The Illusion of Power: Why Strength Isn’t Everything

Since turning professional, Daniel Dubois has amassed a record littered with early stoppages. With over 90% of his wins coming by knockout, he’s rightly earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous punchers in the heavyweight division. But herein lies the problem: his reliance on power often masks a worrying lack of technical development.

Against lower-tier opponents, Dubois’ strength has been enough. He overwhelms, overpowers, and often bulldozes through his foes. However, in fights against higher-level opposition, cracks in his armor begin to show. His fight against Joe Joyce in 2020 was the first real exposure of these vulnerabilities. Joyce, a disciplined jabber with a granite chin, nullified Dubois’ offense with patience and a textbook jab—eventually forcing Dubois to take a knee in the tenth round due to a fractured orbital bone.

What that fight revealed was a critical flaw: Daniel Dubois struggles when he can’t dominate early. Against a fighter like Usyk, who thrives in the later rounds and adjusts seamlessly throughout the fight, Dubois will need more than brute force to survive—let alone win.

Usyk’s Ring IQ Is on Another Level

When it comes to boxing intelligence, Oleksandr Usyk is operating in a different stratosphere. The former undisputed cruiserweight champion has seamlessly transitioned to heavyweight, bringing with him the same slick footwork, in-ring awareness, and strategic brilliance that made him unbeatable in the lower division.

Usyk’s performances against Anthony Joshua serve as prime examples. In their first bout, he completely outmaneuvered the much larger Joshua, landing cleaner shots, controlling the pace, and finishing the fight stronger. In the rematch, Joshua made adjustments—but Usyk made more, proving his superiority once again with a decisive win.

Unlike Dubois, Usyk doesn’t need to knock his opponent out to win. He relies on angles, feints, and combinations to dismantle his foes psychologically and physically. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice, and his ability to adapt mid-fight has made him a nightmare for any heavyweight with one-dimensional tendencies.

Against Dubois, expect Usyk to circle away from the power hand, keep the fight at mid to long range, and force Dubois to chase him—a tactic that will drain the younger fighter’s stamina and confidence.

Dubois’ Defensive Shortcomings Are a Liability

One of the most alarming aspects of Dubois’ game is his porous defense. He frequently holds his hands too low, relies on stiff upper-body movement rather than head movement, and often backs up in straight lines when pressured. These defensive flaws were evident not only against Joyce but even in his win over Kevin Lerena. Despite securing a knockout victory, Dubois was dropped three times in the first round—a worrying sign against a fighter with nowhere near Usyk’s offensive arsenal.

Usyk, who picks his moments with surgical precision, is likely to exploit these gaps. His ability to land clean shots and escape unscathed will frustrate Dubois, especially if the Brit can’t land his power punches early. It’s not just about avoiding damage—Usyk’s movement and accuracy could very well force a stoppage, whether through accumulation or corner retirement.

When you’re fighting someone who is defensively responsible and offensively calculated, having holes in your own defense becomes a serious liability. For Dubois, walking forward behind a high guard won’t be enough. Without the ability to effectively cut off the ring or slip punches, he risks being turned into a stationary target.

Experience Matters—and Dubois Doesn’t Have Enough

One of the most underappreciated factors in elite-level boxing is experience—not just the number of fights, but the quality of opposition faced. Oleksandr Usyk has been in deep waters multiple times. From defeating top cruiserweights like Murat Gassiev and Mairis Briedis to outclassing Joshua in enemy territory, Usyk has proven he can handle pressure, adapt to adversity, and execute a game plan flawlessly.

Dubois, in contrast, has yet to face anyone on Usyk’s level. Aside from Joyce and Lerena, his résumé consists mostly of fringe contenders and journeymen. That kind of matchmaking may have preserved his confidence, but it’s done little to prepare him for the mental and tactical challenges of facing a master like Usyk.

The difference in composure, ring generalship, and championship-level experience could be the most decisive factor in this fight. In boxing, the mental game is often the difference between glory and defeat. Against a seasoned tactician, Dubois may find himself overwhelmed by more than just punches.

Cardio and Stamina: The Hidden Factor

In a twelve-round championship fight, stamina becomes a weapon. Fighters who fade in the later rounds leave themselves vulnerable to comebacks, knockdowns, and tactical domination. Dubois, who has rarely gone the distance, has yet to prove he can maintain his pace across all twelve rounds without a noticeable drop-off.

Usyk, by contrast, seems to get stronger as the fight progresses. His relentless conditioning, movement, and mental sharpness are unmatched among current heavyweights. He’s shown an ability to stick to a game plan while still pressing the action in the championship rounds.

If Dubois fails to get Usyk out early, the second half of the fight could be a tactical beatdown. By round eight or nine, Dubois may find himself struggling to catch a fighter who’s just hitting his stride. And if fatigue sets in, so will mistakes—which Usyk will be quick to capitalize on.

A Style Matchup That Favors Usyk

From a stylistic standpoint, this is a nightmare matchup for Dubois. Usyk is everything Dubois isn’t: nimble, cerebral, elusive, and conditioned. While Dubois can punch through a wall, he can’t hit what he can’t catch—and Usyk excels at being untouchable while remaining effective.

Unless Dubois can land a lucky punch early—which is always a possibility in heavyweight boxing—he will find himself chasing shadows. Usyk will likely pick him apart with jabs, straight lefts, and body shots, gradually breaking him down both physically and mentally.

Moreover, Usyk’s southpaw stance adds an additional layer of complexity. Orthodox fighters like Dubois often struggle with the angles presented by southpaws, particularly when they lack elite-level sparring and experience. Usyk, being a master of angles and footwork, could dominate the positioning battle all night long.

Could Dubois Win? Only With a Miracle Punch

It’s not impossible for Dubois to win—after all, this is the heavyweight division where one punch can change everything. But to rely on that one-punch chance is more an act of hope than a strategic plan. Usyk has been hit before but never rattled or dropped. His chin is solid, his recovery is excellent, and his ring IQ allows him to avoid sustained punishment.

For Dubois to stand a chance, he must fight the perfect fight: close the distance, cut off the ring, invest in body shots early, and land a clean shot before the sixth round. Anything beyond that turns into Usyk’s territory.

And even then, Usyk’s elite corner and in-ring adaptability mean he’ll adjust to any single threat Dubois presents. The real question is: can Dubois adjust when Plan A fails? Based on what we’ve seen so far, the answer is likely no.

Final Verdict: Usyk by Late Stoppage or Wide Decision

In the end, Daniel Dubois is strong but not ready. He’s powerful but not polished. He’s explosive but not experienced. Against most contenders, these deficiencies can be hidden or overcome by physical gifts. But against Oleksandr Usyk, every flaw is magnified.

Usyk doesn’t just win fights—he dissects opponents. And when you step into the ring with a fighter like that unprepared, the consequences are brutal.

Expect Usyk to control the pace from the start, frustrate Dubois with movement and angles, and slowly dismantle him by the later rounds. Whether the fight ends in a TKO due to accumulation or a lopsided unanimous decision, the result will serve as a masterclass in elite boxing versus raw power.

If Dubois wants to compete at this level again, he’ll need to evolve. Until then, he remains a dangerous contender—but not yet a champion. Against Oleksandr Usyk, his limitations will be on full display.