Daniel Dubois Too Much for Usyk: It would be very surprising if Usyk doesn’t win by clean TKO/KO!

When Daniel Dubois stepped into the ring with Oleksandr Usyk in August 2023, few gave him a serious chance. The Ukrainian master technician, undefeated and already a unified heavyweight world champion, was expected to school Dubois, whose previous losses had raised questions about his readiness for elite competition. But what unfolded that night – and the conversations that have followed – suggest that Dubois may be more trouble for Usyk than initially thought.

That is, unless Usyk does what most believe he should do: win by a clean TKO or KO.

Let’s break down why a dominant stoppage by Usyk isn’t just expected—it’s necessary. And why anything short of that would be a bigger upset than Dubois actually winning.

The First Fight: Controversy and Questions

Their first meeting didn’t end in a traditional knockout but rather a 9th-round TKO victory for Usyk, after a highly controversial low blow call in Round 5 nearly flipped the narrative.

Dubois landed a powerful shot to the midsection, which Usyk dropped to the canvas from—grabbing his waistband in agony. Referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow, giving Usyk a full five minutes to recover. However, replay analysis, slow-motion footage, and a heated post-fight debate raised a storm of doubt.

Many argued the shot was legal, a body blow that may have spelled the end for Usyk had it not been ruled otherwise.

Even Dubois protested after the bout:

“That was a body shot. I should be world champion.”

And while the result remained intact, Usyk’s aura of invincibility took a hit.

Why It Would Be Shocking If Usyk Doesn’t Stop Dubois

Now that Dubois has reasserted himself in the heavyweight conversation with a TKO win over Filip Hrgović, there’s renewed interest in what a rematch might look like. But despite Dubois’ rise, here’s why anything less than a clean TKO or KO from Usyk would still raise eyebrows.

1. Usyk’s Skill Gap is Still Huge

Let’s not forget, Usyk is arguably the most skilled boxer in the division—perhaps only rivaled by Tyson Fury when he’s focused. His footwork, ring IQ, feints, angles, and ability to control distance are lightyears ahead of Dubois’ more traditional power-punching style.

He outboxed Anthony Joshua twice and made elite heavyweights look amateurish. Against Dubois, even after the low blow controversy, he adapted quickly, picked his shots, and wore the Brit down en route to a technical stoppage.

So, if a rematch happens and Usyk doesn’t score a clean TKO or KO victory, it would either mean:

• Usyk is physically declining,

• Dubois has massively leveled up,

• Or something unexpected occurred (like injury or poor judging).

In any of those cases, it would shake the heavyweight rankings and Usyk’s reputation.

2. Dubois Has a Suspect Chin

The biggest criticism of Daniel Dubois has always been his ability to take punishment. His loss to Joe Joyce exposed a brittle orbital bone, and he’s been dropped multiple times against top opponents.

Even in his win over Hrgović, Dubois absorbed a lot of clean shots before rallying back. Against a volume puncher like Usyk, who throws with accumulation rather than single-shot power, that’s dangerous.

If Usyk can’t find a way to put Dubois away in a rematch, questions will swirl:
Is Usyk losing his killer instinct? Has age caught up? Was Dubois underrated all along?

Dubois’ Best Chance: Land the Bomb

Let’s be clear: Daniel Dubois absolutely has the power to hurt anyone in the division. The shot he landed on Usyk in the first fight—whether you believe it was low or not—was perfectly timed and clearly had impact.

In a rematch scenario, Dubois’ only path to victory is early aggression, targeting the body, and hoping to land another perfect bomb. But even then, Usyk’s movement and adaptability make that a narrow path.

If Dubois wins, it’ll likely be by knockout. He’s not outboxing Usyk over 12 rounds.

The Public Perception: A “Moral Victory” Isn’t Enough

After the controversy in their first bout, many fans gave Dubois a sort of moral victory. He wasn’t dominated the way many expected. He arguably scored a knockdown that was waved off. And he made Usyk look human.

But in boxing, moral victories don’t get you belts.

If Dubois faces Usyk again, anything short of a clear and dominant win by Usyk will be seen as a regression.

In fact, boxing analyst Chris Mannix recently said:

“If Usyk can’t stop Dubois cleanly in a rematch, he loses a lot of shine. We’re talking about an elite, generational boxer. A guy who’s unified two divisions. He needs to remind everyone what that looks like.”

So What Happens Next?

The heavyweight division is in flux. Usyk just beat Tyson Fury and became the undisputed champion. Dubois is on the rise again, and now holds the IBF interim title after beating Hrgović.

With the IBF expected to strip Usyk due to mandatory obligations, a Usyk vs. Dubois 2 may not be on the horizon immediately. But the storyline is set.

Fans want to know:

• Can Dubois avenge the controversial loss?

• Is Usyk’s dominance starting to fade?

• Or will the Ukrainian king silence all doubt with a brutal TKO or KO?

Final Verdict: Usyk Must Deliver a Statement

For all his accolades and legacy as one of the sport’s most intelligent champions, Oleksandr Usyk can’t afford a lackluster performance if he faces Daniel Dubois again. The first fight already left room for controversy.

A second fight? There can be no questions left unanswered.

That’s why anything short of a clean TKO or KO victory by Usyk would not only be surprising—it would be a moment that shifts the balance of power in the heavyweight division.

For now, Dubois may not be “too much” for Usyk, but he’s proven he’s not just a stepping stone either. The rematch, if it happens, could be explosive.