The Heavyweight Fight at Wembley: Can Daniel Dubois Upset Usyk to Become the True King or Will He Again Lose in Controversial Tears?

The boxing world is once again buzzing with anticipation as Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are set to square off in a long-awaited rematch. This blockbuster bout is reportedly scheduled for July 12 at Wembley Stadium in London, England, a venue that has witnessed many historic battles. With their first encounter ending in dramatic and controversial fashion, fans are eager to see if Dubois can redeem himself or if Usyk will continue to dominate as the undisputed king of the heavyweight division.

This showdown marks a pivotal moment in modern boxing—a chance for revenge, legacy, and the pursuit of greatness. As both fighters bring drastically different stories into this rematch, let’s dive deep into what makes Usyk vs Dubois II a must-watch event in 2025.

Oleksandr Usyk: The Path of a Pound-for-Pound Legend

Ukrainian superstar Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) enters this rematch with an unblemished record and a collection of titles that have earned him recognition as one of the greatest fighters of his generation. Known for his elite ring IQ, slick footwork, and unmatched adaptability, Usyk has conquered both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions with surgical precision.

Their first fight in August 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland, saw Usyk overcome adversity to stop Dubois in the ninth round, retaining his WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles. The bout was memorable not only for the result but also for the controversial fifth-round low blow that temporarily floored Usyk. Dubois and his camp argued that the punch was legal and should have counted as a knockdown. Nevertheless, the referee ruled it low, allowing Usyk precious recovery time.

Despite the drama, Usyk returned stronger in the later rounds, dropping Dubois in the eighth and again in the ninth to secure the TKO. That performance reaffirmed his toughness and technical superiority.

But Usyk’s legacy only grew from there. In May 2024, he finally faced off against Tyson Fury in one of the most anticipated heavyweight clashes in decades. Winning a split decision, Usyk captured the WBC belt, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. The rematch with Fury in December 2024 saw him dominate more convincingly, securing a unanimous decision victory to solidify his reign.

Now, at 38 years old, Usyk returns to defend his crown and settle unfinished business with Dubois.

Daniel Dubois: Redemption, Power, and a New Chapter

When Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) walked into the ring in Poland, few gave him a realistic chance of upsetting Usyk. Yet for a moment, especially in round five, it seemed like the unthinkable was about to happen. That body shot controversy—still hotly debated—gave Dubois a reason to believe that he was this close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent heavyweight history.

Though he ultimately lost, the 27-year-old from Greenwich, London, didn’t allow the defeat to define him. Instead, Dubois rebounded in style. In December 2023, he scored a dramatic 10th-round TKO over Jarrell Miller, a much-needed victory that restored confidence in his power and grit.

But Dubois’ true resurgence came in 2024. First, in June, he faced the tough and previously undefeated Filip Hrgović and shocked the boxing world by stopping him in the eighth round. That win earned him the IBF interim heavyweight title. Then came the biggest breakthrough of his career—a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua in September, officially making Dubois the IBF world champion.

His championship reign was almost derailed when a planned February 2025 defense against Joseph Parker was canceled due to illness. Parker was instead matched with Martin Bakole, who replaced Dubois on just two days’ notice and was stopped in the second round.

Dubois, however, remains the reigning IBF heavyweight champion, and now he has a golden opportunity to avenge his only legitimate defeat and potentially become the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Controversy Revisited: Was Dubois Robbed in the First Fight?

One of the biggest talking points heading into the rematch is the fifth-round incident in their first fight. As Usyk doubled over from a punch that appeared borderline, referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow. Dubois and his camp immediately protested the call, insisting that the punch landed on the belt line and should have been counted as a knockdown.

That moment changed the trajectory of the fight. Had the punch been ruled legal, Dubois may have walked away with a monumental win. Instead, Usyk was granted over four minutes to recover, and Dubois’ momentum evaporated.

This unresolved debate adds a layer of intensity and motivation for Dubois, who believes that this rematch is not just a title defense but a chance to rewrite history. Usyk, meanwhile, sees this bout as a way to silence doubters and prove his superiority once and for all.

Fight Styles and Tactical Outlook

From a stylistic standpoint, this is a fascinating clash.

Usyk is a master of movement. His ability to change angles, manipulate space, and out-think his opponents in real-time is nearly unmatched. Even against bigger and stronger foes like Joshua and Fury, Usyk has shown he can neutralize power with finesse.

Dubois, on the other hand, is a classic puncher—big, strong, and aggressive. With 21 knockouts in 22 wins, he relies on pressure and devastating hooks and body shots to break opponents down. His recent performances show improvements in patience and accuracy, especially against Hrgović and Joshua, where he displayed more maturity and timing.

To win the rematch, Dubois must cut off the ring and avoid chasing Usyk aimlessly. He’ll need to land clean to the body and be wary of Usyk’s counters. Usyk will likely employ similar tactics to the first fight—using his jab to disrupt rhythm and making Dubois miss, then countering with fast combinations.

What’s at Stake in the Rematch

This is not just a title fight; it’s a legacy fight.

For Usyk, a win means cementing his dominance over every heavyweight contender of this era. It allows him to possibly close out his career on top, undefeated and undisputed—a feat few fighters in history can claim.

For Dubois, this fight is about validation and vengeance. Beating Usyk erases the controversy of their first meeting and puts him in the conversation as the top heavyweight in the world. It would also mean unifying the belts once again and bringing heavyweight supremacy back to Britain.

Moreover, with Tyson Fury looming for a trilogy fight and potential future matchups with Deontay Wilder or Joe Joyce, the winner of this rematch will have massive leverage in shaping the future of the division.

Wembley Stadium: The Perfect Battlefield

The choice of Wembley Stadium in London as the venue adds historic weight to the bout. The iconic arena has hosted legendary boxing nights, including Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko. A crowd of over 90,000 is expected to fill the stadium on July 12, making this one of the biggest boxing events of the year.

The home crowd could energize Dubois, giving him an edge with national pride behind him. But Usyk is no stranger to hostile environments, having defeated Joshua in London and faced adversity throughout his career.

Expect a charged atmosphere and a night that could define the heavyweight division for years to come.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

Can Usyk continue his reign of brilliance and go out on his terms as one of the greatest ever? Or will Dubois shock the world and complete one of the most dramatic redemption arcs in modern boxing?

On paper, Usyk remains the favorite. His skill set, experience, and ring IQ make him a nightmare matchup for any heavyweight. However, Dubois has grown significantly since their first clash—physically stronger, mentally tougher, and technically sharper.

If Dubois can impose his power early and avoid getting drawn into a technical chess match, he has a genuine shot at scoring the upset. But if Usyk finds his rhythm and starts painting the canvas with jabs and feints, he may once again prove too elusive.

One thing is certain: the world will be watching when these two heavyweights collide at Wembley. And when the dust settles on July 12, a new chapter in boxing history will be written.