Oleksandr Usyk may very well be the best heavyweight boxer of the modern era.
The Ukrainian pugilist captured a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, then turned pro and became the undisputed cruiserweight champion. “The Cat” eventually moved up to heavyweight and once again unified the titles, defeating Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and Tyson Fury along the way.
That streak includes his decision victory over “The Gypsy King” last night in Riyadh, a rematch from their first go-round back in May — which Usyk also won by decision. Shortly after the bout, Usyk attempted to field questions about his championship performance, but Dubois stormed the cage to demand a do-over.
“I want my revenge! I want my revenge, Usyk!” Dubois shouted as the interviewer begged “Dynamite” to stand down. “Well done tonight. God bless, but I want my revenge. Let’s get it! Let’s go!”
Usyk defeated Dubois by way of ninth-round knockout when they first went to war back in summer 2023, but the performance was marred by low-blow controversy stemming from a fifth-round knockdown. Dubois insisted he was “cheated” of his victory but never got the chance to prove it because Usyk moved on to face (and defeat) Fury.
“Mr. Excellency! Your Excellency!” Usyk shouted toward Saudi entertainment adviser Turki Alalshikh. “Make me fight with Daniel Dubois. Thank you so much. I’m ready. Next fight, no problem. Now I’m going back home for a little bit of rest, but I’m ready.”
Joseph Parker may have something to say about that.
Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) will defend the IBF title — which Usyk was forced to surrender prior to his Fury rematch — against Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) on Feb. 22 in Riyadh. Parker earned his chance to detonate “Dynamite” by scoring back-to-back wins over heavyweight titans Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
Defeating Fury for the second time pushed Usyk’s undefeated record to 23-0 with 14 KOs.