Daniel Dubois Vows to End Oleksandr Usyk’s Reign as World Heavyweight Champion

Daniel Dubois Vows to End Oleksandr Usyk’s Reign as World Heavyweight Champion

Daniel Dubois has declared his readiness to take on Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF heavyweight titles. Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, recently walked away from talks to fight WBC champion Tyson Fury, and his team is now looking to fulfill his mandatory obligations.

Dubois, the WBA regular champion, suffered an ACL injury in his last fight against Kevin Lerena but underwent surgery immediately after the bout. After months of rehabilitation, the 25-year-old Londoner says he is now fit and healthy and ready to take on Usyk.

The WBA had given both teams until April 1 to agree on a "mega fight" that would allow Usyk to forego his mandatory obligation to Dubois. With the collapse of the Fury-Usyk negotiations, the former cruiserweight kingpin must fight Dubois next or relinquish the WBA Super title.

Despite some suggestions that Dubois may turn down the opportunity to face Usyk in order to gain more experience at the highest level, the British fighter is determined to seize the moment.

"I'm ready to end his reign," Dubois said. "I'm 100 up for it, fit and healthy, and I'm going to knock him out. How do I do it? I just have to land the right shot. It's all about timing, and this is my time."

Dubois, who has won 19 of his 20 professional fights, sees Usyk's size as a potential weakness and plans to pressure him with his power and aggression.

"I have to test that chin," he said. "Can I do better than Dereck Chisora did? Of course. I've got to let my hands go, not hold back, and just be myself. I know what to do, my trainer knows what to do. When I watch him, I see ways to win, and I know I've got the power to knock him out. That's me, that's how I fight, and that's what I bring: devastation."

Dubois also reflected on his recovery from the ACL injury, describing the rehabilitation process as like "learning to walk again." However, he feels his knee is now stronger than ever and is confident of his ability to dethrone Usyk.

"It was a major injury, but I had surgery on it straight after the fight nearly four months ago," he said. "To fight by the end of May, June, that would be no problem at all. The rehab is long, boring, and hard, but well worth it. I'm back punching again, bags, pads, all of that, and my knee feels brand new."

The date and location of the Dubois-Usyk fight are yet to be confirmed, but the Londoner is ready and waiting for his chance to become a world champion.