Archive July 20, 2025

At Wembley on Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk introduced his friend Ivan to Daniel Dubois and the rest of the world.

The Ukrainian southpaw won the fifth-round knockout match and won the title of second-round unanimous heavyweight champion.

Usyk arrived for his post-fight press conference an hour after extending his unbeaten streak to 24 and was pleased to welcome the crowded audience after a quick night of work.

Ivan is my left hook, according to Usyk.

Ukrainian name Ivan. Ivan, a wealthy man who works for his family in a small town, is a big man. Ivan, it’s a strong punch.

The first time 2018 [I named it] was a cruiserweight in the United States.

Dubois had already climbed off the canvas shortly prior to the temple’s right hook, but Usyk’s favored left sequence came in handy.

A master of the craft gave yet another classic performance.

It was worth the effort to hold back the 90,000-person crowd as the event poured in from Wembley Stadium earlier in the evening.

Usyk was exceptional in every way, escaping Dubois’ attacks with slick footwork, returning with sharp shots on the counter, and displaying pure heavyweight power.

It is undoubtedly still there if it wasn’t already obvious. The dominant heavyweight of his generation is Usyk.

Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Dubois are his biggest rivals, but Usyk has also swept them all in and defeated them twice.

In his only third fight as a heavyweight, he defeated Joshua, leading the fight on an upward trajectory ever since.

Usyk doesn’t enjoy taking the easy path.

By defeating Fury in 2024, Usyk had the option of reversing that title by requiring a mandatory defense of his IBF strap against Dubois.

He resigned from Dubois at Wembley in order to pursue a rematch with Fury and win a second time in a row. He then circled back to reclaim the IBF title from Dubois.

What he accomplished today, according to Esyk’s manager, Essis Klimas, was designated by him a little bit more than a year ago.

His choice was to renounce the title, let Dubois defeat someone, and then engage in a third-party combat for undisputed. His plan was that one year ago. He excels mentally as well as boxing.

Many people who predicted a victory for Dubois on Saturday based their predictions on the assumption that Usyk, a Briton, must be ready to retire.

That is obviously not the case.

But where does he stand in the history of heavyweight wrestling with his 15th victory?

Usyk has won eight heavyweight titles, six of which have been won by him.

In contrast to the previous century, there is a strong argument that the heavyweight division’s current era lacks a great deal of depth.

The masses were captivated by the likes of Ali, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

Between 1937 and 1948, Joe Louis successfully defended his country in 25 different ways.

When Usyk, who may still have a few fights to go, finally decides to hang up the gloves, a place in the top three might be something to think about.

However, a top-five spot in all time feels appropriate as an Olympic gold medalist, undisputed cruiserweight champion, and two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

Former world champion Carl Frampton remarked on Dazn, “I think he’s]Oleksandr Usyk] a legend.

There aren’t many serious contenders for Usyk right now.

Fury and Dubois are already facing Usyk, but Queensberry’s Frank Warren has a third candidate in the works.

Joseph Parker, the interim WBO champion, has followed Usyk throughout the entire fight week and on fight night.

The New Zealander has won six fights so far, and he’s also the owner of the world title.

Moses Itauma, a young, talented Briton, is at the other end of the scale.

The professional fighter, who is 20 years old, has won 12 fights and is regarded as the division’s future.

Itauma has won ten knockouts in his two fights and has been hailed as the division’s future. He has only gone beyond two rounds in two of his matches.

However, it seems premature to suggest that he is prepared for the era’s greatest.

No one has yet come up with a strategy to defeat Usyk even remotely.

Dustin Poirier’s distinguished career ended in defeat at UFC 318 in New Orleans, Louisiana, despite Max Holloway holding the symbolic BMF title.

Holloway became the first fighter to defend the belt that the UFC’s “baddest” fighters won by unanimous decision in a competitive match.

After paying homage to fellow American Poirier, Holloway called out lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

“I have a connection to the champ,” I said. I’m done talking, said Holloway, but it’s your turn next, baby.

As one of the most renowned athletes to enter the octagon, former interim lightweight champion Poirier, 36, retires.

Poirier, who made his UFC debut in 2011, won 22 of his 32 fights and retired as arguably the best fighter to never win an undisputed title.

“I appreciate this journey and experience. An emotional Poirier thanked (UFC president) Dana White and the UFC for allowing a young person to make a decision in his life and keep their family safe.

Following Poirier’s victories in 2012 and 2019, the pair’s epic rivalry is over at the end of the fight.

After losing to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in his most recent fight in 2024, Poirier declared that Holloway would be his final fight.

As Poirier made his way towards the octagon, Lil Wayne, along with rapper Lil Wayne, received a rousing reception in front of his home crowd.

As he requested before the fight out of respect for Poirier, Holloway yelled at him before the fight started, before getting booed out of his walkout.

In a confident first round, Holloway mixed up his leg strikes and effective punches, dropping Poirier with a straight right.

Before the momentum changed, Holloway held on to his position as the leader after knocking Poirier down once more in the second round.

Before the crowd rose to their feet in anticipation of the final round, Holloway and Poirier each made longer combinations but their strikes appeared to be more damaging.

With ten seconds left, Holloway made a trademark gesture and offered to stand and exchange.

Similar to last year’s knockout of Holloway, Poirier fought back in style with the final bell, but he got the better of the lively exchange.

After giving Poirier a few words, the pair exchanged a respectful kiss before moving on.

“Max is a difficult subject in this room. He is the champ because he is slick, crafty, quick, and fast. Max is one of the good guys, and I have nothing but respect for him,” Poirier said.

It’s been incredible as I’ve been pursuing my dreams. I’m a youngster who kicks and kicks in his dream while I’m out here. It is incredible.

The only UFC championship Poirier has ever won was against Holloway in the interim lightweight belt in 2019.

He suffered three unresolved title fights, including those of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Makhachev, but he came out in the end with a stellar resume.

Jorge Masvidal on X: “Congrats on a fantastic career Dustin! It’s been a pleasure to share this journey with you. Thank you for all the positive aspects of your team. Enjoy your retirement, you have more than earned it.

“I thought Dustin’s performance was amazing,” Jon Jones on X said. He still has it without a doubt. However, it’s encouraging to see him leave merely because he wants to. In the future, that needs to become standard. Fighting fighters are getting old and making people mumble.