Dubois is an opponent too easy for Usyk, so why does he still want to prioritize this match?

In the high-stakes world of heavyweight boxing, every move from a reigning champion like Oleksandr Usyk is calculated. After becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Tyson Fury, fans expected Usyk to either retire on top or chase even bigger legacy-defining challenges. Yet, instead of aiming for a blockbuster showdown with Anthony Joshua or a superfight with Deontay Wilder, Usyk has chosen to prioritize a rematch with Daniel Dubois — a fighter many believe he has already decisively beaten. The question arises: Why would Usyk, now a unified and undisputed champion, return to face an opponent deemed too easy by many?

The answer lies in a complex mix of unfinished business, legacy preservation, IBF politics (without diving into political discussions), and the champion’s intrinsic sense of fairness. While Dubois might not be the most dangerous name left in the division, his controversial first encounter with Usyk left a mark on the narrative — one Usyk appears determined to rewrite in bold.

The Controversial Low Blow Incident Still Haunts the First Fight

The first fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois took place in August 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland. Though Usyk secured a ninth-round knockout victory, the bout wasn’t without controversy. In the fifth round, Dubois landed a body shot that sent Usyk crumbling to the canvas in pain. Referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow, giving Usyk ample time to recover. Replays ignited heated debate — was the punch truly below the belt, or had Dubois scored a legal knockdown?

From Dubois’s perspective, it was a clean punch. He and his team vehemently protested the ruling, arguing that the outcome of the fight could have been drastically different had the knockdown been acknowledged. Usyk, meanwhile, stood by the referee’s decision but faced critics who questioned whether he would have recovered if the blow had been counted.

This lingering cloud of doubt is one of the biggest reasons Usyk prioritizes the rematch. Despite dominating most of the fight and scoring two knockdowns of his own, Usyk seems keen to silence any remaining whispers about that controversial moment. For a man who values his legacy and fights with pride, eliminating all doubts with a clean, undisputed victory is paramount.

Legacy Matters More Than Risk for Usyk

At 38 years old, Usyk has already cemented himself as one of the most decorated fighters of his era. An Olympic gold medalist, former undisputed cruiserweight champion, and now the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis, his legacy is secure — but not complete.

Unlike many champions who avoid risky rematches with opponents they’ve already beaten, Usyk isn’t driven solely by the monetary allure of superfights. He’s built his career on discipline, precision, and an unwavering desire to prove himself against every legitimate contender. Even though Dubois may not pose the same stylistic challenge as Tyson Fury or the one-punch knockout power of Deontay Wilder, Usyk knows that erasing every asterisk beside his victories is part of becoming a true great.

In a division often marred by promotional disputes and dodged fights, Usyk’s commitment to clarity stands out. He understands that his name in the history books will be stronger if he removes all ambiguity from his record. A rematch with Dubois — especially if it ends without controversy — becomes a way to stamp his authority in the most thorough way possible.

The IBF Title Dilemma and Dubois’ Resurgence

Another critical factor in Usyk’s decision is the IBF title situation. After becoming the undisputed champion by defeating Fury, Usyk inherited all four belts — WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC. However, the IBF belt has been under scrutiny. Usyk was expected to defend the title against the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Filip Hrgovic. But when Dubois stepped in and knocked out Hrgovic in June 2024, he reclaimed the interim IBF title.

Just three months later, Dubois pulled off another stunning upset by stopping Anthony Joshua in the fifth round to become the full IBF heavyweight champion. With the governing body recognizing Dubois as the legitimate titleholder, Usyk’s quest to maintain unified status hits a roadblock unless he reclaims that belt.

Rather than risk losing his status as undisputed champion through sanctioning body politics or being stripped, Usyk sees the rematch as a way to secure the title outright. The rematch now carries official significance: it’s no longer just a chance to settle a controversy but also to reclaim a piece of his undisputed crown.

For Usyk, who has consistently emphasized the importance of legacy over short-term gain, losing a belt outside the ring is not acceptable. Taking back the IBF title from Dubois is a mission he’s not willing to delegate or sidestep.

Usyk’s Fanbase and the Value of Clarity

Another compelling angle behind Usyk’s prioritization of this fight is his deep connection to his fans. Usyk has always presented himself as a fighter of the people — someone who doesn’t duck opponents, avoids trash talk, and lets his gloves do the storytelling. His fanbase values clarity, honesty, and merit-based progression. In a boxing era filled with promotional roadblocks and manufactured narratives, Usyk stands apart by facing all challengers, regardless of their status or popularity.

By giving Dubois a rematch, Usyk isn’t just silencing critics — he’s sending a message to fans and fellow fighters: there is no shortcut to greatness. Even if Dubois is perceived as a less threatening opponent than a Joshua trilogy or a showdown with Wilder, he holds a legitimate belt and a claim to unfinished business.

For Usyk, clearing up all confusion isn’t just about his own ego — it’s about setting a standard in boxing, one where champions don’t avoid difficult conversations or controversial decisions.

Dubois Has Improved and Now Holds More Credibility

It’s also worth noting that Daniel Dubois has evolved significantly since his first loss to Usyk. After a comeback TKO win against Jarrell Miller in December 2023, Dubois shocked the world twice — first by knocking out the previously undefeated Hrgovic, and then by dismantling Anthony Joshua in convincing fashion.

These victories have given Dubois newfound respect and legitimacy in the eyes of fans and analysts. He is no longer the inexperienced, slightly green heavyweight that Usyk fought in 2023. At 27, he’s entering his physical prime and is now more composed, better conditioned, and significantly more confident.

Usyk likely acknowledges this improvement. A rematch won’t just be about setting the record straight — it’ll be against a better, more dangerous version of Dubois. That challenge, though smaller in scale than Tyson Fury, could still serve as a compelling and meaningful addition to Usyk’s résumé.

Wembley Stadium: The Stage for Redemption

The rematch is expected to take place at Wembley Stadium in London on July 12, and that setting itself adds weight to the bout. Fighting in front of 90,000 fans on Dubois’ home turf gives the event a layer of intrigue, drama, and financial value. Usyk relishes fighting in hostile environments — it adds to his legend and feeds his motivation.

For Dubois, the opportunity to redeem himself in front of a British crowd is career-defining. For Usyk, winning convincingly on enemy soil is yet another statement to the world that he’s not just a technical master — he’s a champion who thrives under pressure.

The Wembley setting, the stakes of the IBF title, and the personal narrative make the matchup significantly more than a tune-up fight. It becomes a symbolic conquest — another line on Usyk’s already legendary career path.

Final Thoughts: An Easy Fight on Paper, but a Necessary One for Greatness

On paper, Daniel Dubois might still seem like a level below Oleksandr Usyk. But boxing isn’t just about matchups — it’s about legacy, controversy, championship status, and how fighters choose to navigate all of it. For Usyk, this fight isn’t about taking an easy payday. It’s about closure, pride, and reestablishing the clarity that his reign demands.

He could chase new blood. He could call out Wilder or wait for a new wave of challengers. But instead, Usyk is taking the high road — confronting a past controversy, reclaiming a title lost through technicalities, and delivering fans a final answer.

In a sport often defined by what doesn’t happen, Usyk is once again making the rare move — doing what needs to be done, even if the risk seems small. Because for a champion like Usyk, greatness isn’t defined by avoiding easy fights. It’s defined by finishing unfinished business with undeniable authority.