Usyk vs. Dubois at Wembley: How the 2025 rematch confirmed the undisputed champion
On July 19, 2025, at Wembley Stadium in London, the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Britain’s Daniel Dubois took place. At stake were all the major heavyweight belts and the title of undisputed world champion. This bout became the boxing event of the summer, drawing maximum attention both in Ukraine and around the world.
A few days before the fight, Oleksandr Usyk appeared at the press conference in a white coat-jacket, a black shirt with an open collar, black trousers, and a fur Cossack hat a look that referenced Hetman Pavlo Skoropadsky. It was there that the traditional staredown between Usyk and Dubois took place. The British boxer looked somewhat tense, while his promoter, Frank Warren, unexpectedly approached Usyk and also staged a brief face-off. The tension quickly shifted to a friendly gesture both smiled and shook hands.
During the press conference, the Ukrainian boxer emphasized the special importance of this bout:
“This fight is important for my country and for the soldiers who defend it. I respect this young man, his motivation. But I am also motivated. I am not old yet. Thirty-eight is not old. You’ll see it on Saturday.”
Entrance and Beginning of the Bout: Solemnity and Cautious Struggle
The Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk entered the ring to “Ave Maria,” setting a solemn and emotional tone for the fight. The bout against Britain’s Daniel Dubois started actively the first round ended with no clear advantage for either boxer, and at the start of the second round, the British fighter tried to set his own pace.
Dubois moved forward as the aggressor, pressed, and tried to break through Usyk’s defense, but Usyk remained calm, defended confidently, and counterattacked sharply. Visually, it was the Ukrainian who landed more accurate punches in this round. The second round also went to Usyk.
Middle of the Fight: Experience vs. Pressure
For the 38-year-old Oleksandr Usyk, this bout was another stage in his brilliant career. He is the undisputed world heavyweight champion, holder of the WBO, WBA (Super), WBC, IBO, and The Ring belts. His undefeated streak and Olympic gold from 2012 have already made him a living legend and this year it became official: Usyk was named a National Legend of Ukraine.
His opponent, 27-year-old Briton Daniel Dubois, is a former WBA (Regular) world champion who briefly held the IBF title in 2024. For him, the fight with Usyk was a chance to regain his standing in the boxing world.
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The Decisive Moment: Knockdown and Knockout
Oleksandr Usyk claimed a convincing victory over Britain’s Daniel Dubois, finishing the fight early in the fifth round. First, the Ukrainian sent his opponent to the canvas with a knockdown, and after the next precise punch, sealed the victory with a knockout. The referee stopped the bout without hesitation.
This was yet another confirmation of Usyk’s dominance in the heavyweight division he not only withstood the early pressure from his younger opponent but imposed his own style and technically dismantled Dubois. By the end of the fight, Usyk already had a visual advantage: he counterattacked more precisely and confidently, and he dictated the pace of the bout.
Key words: Usyk, Dubois, rematch, undisputed champion, Wembley, knockout, boxer, belts, IBF, WBA, WBO, WBC, Cossack hat, Skoropadsky, “Ave Maria”, sports
After the Bout: Comments and Reactions
British boxer Daniel Dubois commented on the second knockout from Oleksandr Usyk in the rematch:
“It was just one day. Maybe there were some things I could have done better, but this man’s merits are undeniable. I’ll be back. I was just fighting, I was completely in the fight. I just tried to raise the pace round by round, but it is what it is. I’ll be back. I want to thank everyone who came. I did everything I could. We’ll work on the mistakes and come back again.”
Oleksandr Usyk was congratulated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky:
“Oleksandr Usyk did it again! Undisputed champion. Legend. Ours.”
The president thanked the boxer for the strength and inspiration he gives the whole country with every victory:
“Thank you for every fight with Ukraine in your heart. Congratulations on your victory to you, the country, everyone who supported you.”
Facts and Significance of the Bout
- Oleksandr Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois, reclaiming the IBF belt, which he had vacated in June 2024, and defending the WBA, WBO, and WBC titles.
- Their first fight took place on August 26, 2023, in Wroclaw, where Usyk won by technical knockout in the ninth round.
The rematch at Wembley once again proved that at the highest level of boxing, it’s not just strength or age that decides victory, but experience, tactics, and psychological resilience. Usyk remains on top and has once again shown that leadership in the division is the result of daily hard work, responsibility, and inner strength. Usyk’s victory is not just a sporting event, but an example for the whole country and a new reference point for the next generation of Ukrainian champions.
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