Daniel Dubois has been written off multiple times, but proves his doubters wrong time and again as he prepares to face Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
At just 27 years of age, Daniel Dubois will face Oleksandr Usyk for the second time for the undisputed crown, after a dominant run of form has seen him collect wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua.
Dubois lost to Usyk in 2023 after taking a knee off the back of one of the Ukrainian’s jabs. This, coupled with his first loss to Joe Joyce in 2020, gave critics enough ammunition to label the Brit as a quitter.
It was back in 2017 when Dubois shared a card with one of his biggest critics, years before the Joyce loss, though in the years since, it’s plain to see that the tables have well and truly turned.
Billy Joe Saunders was met with cruel irony years after sharing a card with Daniel Dubois
In 2017, 4-0 Dubois faced 8-3 AJ Carter for the vacant Southern Area title. Topping the card was Billy Joe Saunders, who was defending his WBO world middleweight title against 21-2 Willie Monroe Jr.
Dubois blitzed Carter, dropping him three times in the first round to secure his first title victory. Later that night, Saunders also won, beating Monroe by unanimous decision.
It was just three years later that Dubois infamously took a knee after having his eye socket fractured by Joyce, and Saunders was one of his most outspoken critics.
Saunders criticized Dubois for taking a knee on social media, and said he should “get carried out the ring” instead and go out on his shield.
Fate had some cruel irony in store for Saunders, though, as just one year later he found himself quitting in a fight with Canelo after having the same injury, a fractured eye socket, inflicted on him.
Now, Daniel Dubois tops 2025’s biggest night of boxing, whilst Saunders, retired by the loss, watches on as one of his charges, Lewis Edmondson, faces Daniel Lapin, Usyk’s training partner.
Daniel Dubois vs Oleksandr Usyk – The stats
| Oleksandr Usyk | Daniel Dubois | |
| Boxing record | 23-0 | 22-2 |
| Career duration | 12 years | 8 years |
| Nationality | Ukrainian | British |
| Age | 38 | 27 |
| Combined record (amateur and pro) | 358-15 | 91-8 |
| Height and weight (in last fight) | 6’3″ and 226lbs | 6’5″ and 248.5lbs |