An undisputed world champion will be crowned tonight when Oleksandr Usyk faces Daniel Dubois in Wembley Stadium.
The pair will run it back after Usyk and Dubois had a controversial first meeting, in which a low blow was the major talking point in the Ukrainian’s victory.
Usyk will be aiming to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion after he accomplished the feat in 2024 against Tyson Fury. As for Dubois, he would be the first British holder of all the heavyweight belts since Lennox Lewis.
As Lewis may have his accomplishments replicated by Dubois, one of the greatest heavyweights of all time has given his thoughts on how ‘DDD’ can beat Usyk.
Lennox Lewis believes Daniel Dubois has grown since first Oleksandr Usyk but still needs improvements
When Usyk and Dubois step in the ring for the second time, they will be just shy of two years past their first meeting. Since then, Dubois has picked up notable career wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua.
These performances have led to Lewis feeling Dubois has ‘grown’ and is deserving of his undisputed opportunity when speaking to All Out Fighting.
“He’s been through his trials and tribulations in the sense that he’s been on the ground and he’s gotten back up.”
The former Mike Tyson opponent Lewis went on to say, “I think you’re not going to see the same Daniel Dubois… He’s going to be a different fighter in this next fight.”
Speaking on the areas in which Dubois has already improved, Lewis said, “He’s grown mentally, he’s grown in strength, and he’s grown in confidence. Those are three key places where you need to grow… It’s going to make you a better boxer.”
In terms of areas in which Lewis felt Dubois could further improve, there were certain factors named by ‘The Lion’. The first was the ring IQ of Dubois: “Ring IQ is important.”
Lewis then said, “Maybe more on the jab, working that jab a little more. He’s worked on his jab a lot.”
For the game plan, Lewis said that Dubois has to ‘work to win.’ “It’s basically down to rounds… Make sure you win as many rounds as you can.”
The former world champion also feels Dubois needs to be more assertive in the fight. “Don’t allow Oleksandr Usyk to dance around and do the same thing he did last time.”
When asked if Dubois was unable to knock out Usyk, Lewis said, “He has to win the rounds and, you know, putting a top on it is knocking him out.”
Lewis also mentioned in another interview that Dubois should utilize his size advantage, as Usyk will be the smaller fighter on the night.
Lennox Lewis believes that Daniel Dubois is mentally strong but believes Oleksandr Usyk does not share his beliefs
Speaking on the mentality of the two fighters going into their London showdown, Lewis said he believes that Usyk thinks that Dubois is ‘weak mentally’.
However, this was not the viewpoint of Lewis. “I think he’s [Dubois] strong mentally. I think you have to grow from strong to weak.”
Lewis went on to explain that he feels Dubois has “prepared himself for what’s coming” when he faces Usyk on Saturday night.