Daniel Dubois made an unexpected appearance in the ring following Oleksandr Usyk’s unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, demanding a rematch against the newly crowned, now unified heavyweight champion. While Usyk was basking in his moment of glory, Dubois cut in and reminded the Ukrainian of their August 2023 clash, which ended in a ninth-round knockout in Usyk’s favor.
The timing of Dubois’s request struck many as off-putting, especially with Usyk still fielding questions about his upset win over Fury. Dubois, who holds the IBF heavyweight title, used the spotlight to press Usyk for a second fight, calling their first encounter a "robbery." Usyk, staying poised, responded that he’d be open to a rematch if Saudi sports authority figure Turki Alalshikh was on board. Notably, Dubois already has a defense scheduled against Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh - a bout he must win before any unification plans can move forward.
Watch Usyk's post-fight interview: Watch
Critics argue that Dubois should have waited before confronting Usyk, who was celebrating arguably the biggest victory of his career. Others point out that bigger paydays are on the table for Usyk, including a potential third fight with Tyson Fury or a rematch with Anthony Joshua - both of which would likely draw more global interest than a second meeting with Dubois.
For now, Usyk’s immediate future remains uncertain. He hasn’t committed to a next opponent, and with multiple lucrative options on the horizon, it’s unclear whether Dubois’s public plea will expedite his rematch hopes - or simply get lost in the shuffle of heavyweight boxing’s ever-changing landscape.
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