DANIEL Dubois confidently declared his intent to “be the man” as he prepares to face Oleksandr Usyk for all major world heavyweight belts this Saturday (Sunday, July 20, 2025, PH time) at Wembley Stadium in London.
During a subdued final press conference on Thursday for their highly anticipated rematch, Dubois, who holds the IBF title, dismissed criticism from Usyk’s camp suggesting he hasn’t evolved since their first encounter nearly two years ago, which Usyk won by a ninth-round stoppage.
“Right now, I just want to get it on. I’m going to write my own script. I’m going to win these belts,” Dubois asserted, adding, “I’m going to be the man.”
Usyk, the WBA, WBC and WBO champion, calmly thumbed rosary beads while listening to the exchanges between the two camps.
The undefeated Ukrainian aims to become a three-time undisputed world champion, having previously achieved the feat at cruiserweight and for the first time at heavyweight by defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024. He later relinquished his IBF title — which Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) subsequently inherited — to concentrate on a rematch with Fury.
Usyk, 11 years Dubois’ senior, expressed respect for his opponent, stating, “I respect this guy, this young guy. I’m not old guy, 38 is not old. We will see Saturday.”
Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) also punctuated his remarks with the intriguing phrase, “Don’t push the horses,” which prompted Dubois’ trainer Don Charles to quip, “I need a translator.” / FROM THE WIRES