Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois: Briton promises to ‘unleash hell’ and become world heavyweight champion

Daniel Dubois says he is not feeling any pressure ahead of his world heavyweight title fight against Oleksandr Usyk and that it is his time to become a heavyweight champion.

Usyk will defend his WBA ‘super’, IBF, WBO and Ring magazine belts against British challenger Dubois in Wroclaw, Poland on August 26, live on TNT Sports.

Dubois (19-1-0) became the mandatory challenger to Usyk back in June 2022, beating American Trevor Bryan by knockout to win the WBA ‘regular’ heavyweight title.

Dubois has not fought since featuring on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s bout with Dereck Chisora last December when he defeated Kevin Lerena by knockout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Ahead of the fight in their second pre-fight press conference, Dubois says he is “younger” and “stronger” than his Ukrainian opponent.

“I’m ready. We’re ready to rumble,” the 25-year-old told reporters in London, England.

“This is it. Bring those titles back home, bring them belts. They’re coming with me.

“It’s definitely my time. Usyk’s been a great champion and as I’ve said before everything with a beginning has to have an end. His ‘0’ has got to go.

“I’ve got to outmanoeuvre him in everything. I’m younger, I’m stronger. I’ve got to release it all. Unleash hell on this guy.

“I was born for it. Everything that has led to me getting here and getting this opportunity, I’m different and you guys are going to see that.

“The bookies can say whatever they want. It’s no pressure for me. I’m going to be 100 per cent on him to take those belts away.”

The fight at the Tarczynski Arena will be Usyk’s (20-0-0) first title defence since he beat Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia to retain his belts.

Usyk will be fighting in Poland for the first time since 2015 where he won the WBO world cruiserweight title against Krzysztof Glowacki.

The fight location of Wroclaw, Poland, was selected to honour the Ukrainian refugees who have fled their home nation to its western neighbour following Russia’s invasion of the country.

Usyk says he has great respect for his opponent, but wants his fighting to do the talking in Wroclaw.

“I think very highly of my opponent,” he said.

“He’s a nice man and a nice guy and a nice athlete. He came to the position of the mandatory challenger so he deserves it. All the respect for him, for his team, all the people around him.

“But let’s stop talking more. Lets see each other on August 26th.”