Daniel Dubois Faces a New Challenge After Defeat to Oleksandr Usyk
Daniel Dubois, the British heavyweight boxer, is not expected to return to the ring for at least six months. However, he has been encouraged to draw inspiration from his compatriot Frank Bruno in his quest to recover from his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk. This recent defeat marks the third time in Dubois’ career that he has fallen short, following a stoppage in the fifth round at Wembley on Saturday night.
Dubois, who currently holds a record of 22-3 with 21 knockouts, put up a strong fight in the first four rounds, showcasing his resilience and skill. However, a powerful right hand from Usyk sent him to the canvas, and despite his efforts to rise, a devastating left hook known as “Ivan” sealed the outcome of the rematch. This loss places Dubois back into a rebuilding phase, similar to what he experienced after his initial defeat to Usyk in Poland in 2023.
Frank Warren, the head of Queensberry, has urged Dubois to regroup and take lessons from the experiences of Frank Bruno. Bruno, who lost his first three world title fights before finally claiming the WBC belt in his 44th bout in 1995, serves as a compelling example of perseverance in the sport.
Warren commented on the timeline for Dubois’ recovery, stating, “About six months out. It won’t be before then.” He acknowledged that the fight was competitive until the fifth round, noting that Dubois was clearly disappointed. However, Warren emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and growing as a boxer.
“Daniel is only 27. I look at Frank Bruno for example, three times he fought for a world title and he got it on the fourth attempt,” Warren said. “Daniel has won a world title so hopefully he will come back, but the bottom line is it was Usyk’s night and he is a special, special boxer.”
Dubois had previously earned a shot at the title through a remarkable 10-month period where he defeated Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua. However, Usyk’s performance once again highlighted the gap in quality at the top of the heavyweight division.
Warren pointed out that Dubois became “careless” during the fifth round, after initially pushing Usyk in a thrilling contest in London. This mistake cost Dubois the fight and underscores the need for mental discipline and focus.
“Daniel didn’t stick to the task, he got careless, he dropped his hands and paid the price,” Warren explained. “For Daniel now, he’ll have a little break, think about things and he has got to resurrect himself. What level? He’s got to come back and make a statement. He needs to make a statement against a quality fighter like he did last time.”
There are several potential paths for Dubois to regain his footing. His trainer, Don Charles, believes that Dubois will return stronger, with Joseph Parker as a possible opponent in 2026 if Usyk vacates his WBO title. Alternatively, low-key domestic bouts against Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte, or Joe Joyce could serve as stepping stones.
Charles added, “We tried to get going. He is a young champion Daniel Dubois, 27 years old, remarkable what he has achieved to date. He will be back from this stronger. Usyk is a generational great, if you’re going to lose to someone, lose to someone like that. He’ll be back from this.”
As Dubois takes time to reflect and rebuild, the boxing world will be watching closely to see how he responds to this setback. With the right mindset and training, there is no doubt that he has the talent and determination to make a successful comeback.
