Category News

Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois 2

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Saturday, 19 July

Oleksandr Usyk has played down suggestions his age could be a factor when he faces Daniel Dubois in Saturday’s undisputed heavyweight contest at Wembley Stadium.

WBA (Super), WBO and WBC champion Usyk and IBF title-holder Dubois are meeting for the second time, with the Ukrainian having claimed a ninth-round stoppage in August 2023.

Usyk is 38 – 11 years the senior of Britain’s Dubois – as he looks to become a three-time undisputed champion, having already achieved that feat at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

“I respect this young guy,” Usyk said.

“He [Dubois] is motivated but I am too. I am not an old guy – 38 is not old. We will see.”

Both fighters remained calm throughout the news conference, which began 48 minutes later than scheduled, leaving their respective teams to throw out jibes.

Usyk is yet to taste defeat in 23 fights as a professional and has won his three previous bouts in London, although none of them have taken place at Wembley Stadium.

He has fond memories of London as an amateur too, having won heavyweight gold at the 2012 Olympics.

Dubois has won three fights in a row since losing to Usyk with his most recent coming at the national stadium when he stunned Anthony Joshua in September.

“Right now I just want to get it on,” Dubois said.

“I’m going to write my own script. They’ve got their script and I’ll write my own. I’m going to win these belts and I’m going to be the man.”

Dubois has picked up 21 knockouts in 22 victories with just two defeats on his record.

Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas suggested Dubois has not changed as a fighter in the 23 months since they last shared a ring, leading the Briton’s trainer Don Charles to say he must have been asleep.

“While I was asleep, Usyk beat Tyson Fury twice,” Klimas responded.

The Ukrainian made history when becoming the first four-belt heavyweight champion with victory over Fury in May 2024.

He backed up that win with a second triumph against the Gypsy King in December.

But some have suggested those two fights, which both went the distance, have added a lot miles on the clock for Usyk.

Usyk, dressed in a long white robe and traditional black fur hat, spent most of the news conference looking at the table, clutching rosary beads and silently mouthing prayers.

Dubois was much more understated in a tracksuit and baseball cap but also steered clear of any controversy.

Despite being the away fighter, Usyk appears to have the greater support so far this week.

Usyk supporters were much louder than those of Dubois during Wednesday’s open workout and it was the same at the news conference.

Dubois did his best to get his team heard when breaking gaze at the face-off and waving his arms to get them chanting his name.

After the Londoner stepped away Usyk remained in place and invited Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren to a stare down on the stage.

“Daniel’s coming into his prime,” Warren said.

“He has had a great grounding and fought more quality fighters than most heavyweights even at the age he’s at. He knows he can hurt Oleksandr because he’s done it before.

Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk in the second round

Wembley Stadium, London Date: Saturday, July 19th,

Oleksandr Usyk has downed suggestions that Daniel Dubois’ age might be a factor in Saturday’s unrestricted heavyweight contest at Wembley Stadium.

The Ukrainian, who won the WBA (Super), WBO (Super), and WBO (Super), and IBF titleholder Dubois will compete for the second time in August 2023.

Usyk, 38, is 11 years older than Dubois, who has already won titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight, as he strives to become a three-time undisputed champion.

Usyk remarked, “I respect this young man.”

“He] Dubois is driven, but I am as well.” 38 is not an old man, so I’m not an old one. “We’ll see”

Both fighters kept their tempers up throughout the 48-minute news conference, which saw their respective teams spit out jibes.

Although none of his 23 professional fights have taken place at Wembley Stadium, Usyk has already won three of his previous fights in London.

He is fond of London, where he won heavyweight gold at the 2012 Olympics, and also has fond memories of London as an amateur.

Since losing to Usyk in September, Dubois has won three fights in a row, with his most recent victory coming against Anthony Joshua at the national stadium.

Dubois said, “Right now, all I want to do is put it on.”

“I’m going to write my own script,” I said. I’ll write my own script, just like they have mine. I’ll win these belts and become the man.

Dubois’ record includes just two defeats and 21 knockout victories in 22 starts.

Dubois’ trainer Don Charles claimed that the Briton must have been asleep after Egis Klimas’ manager suggested the pair had not changed in the 23 months since they last shared a ring.

Klimas responded, “Usyk beat Tyson Fury twice while I was asleep.”

The Ukrainian won the first four-belt heavyweight title with a victory over Fury in May of 2024, making history.

In December, he added a second victory against the Gypsy King to that success.

However, some have suggested that Usyk’s time has been greatly increased by those two fights, which both went the distance.

Usyk silently prayed for the majority of the news conference while wearing a long white robe and a traditional black fur hat.

Dubois avoided any controversy by wearing a tracksuit and baseball cap, which both had a much more understated look.

Usyk appears to have received more support this week than he does despite being the away fighter.

Dubois’ supporters on Wednesday’s open workout were much louder than Dubois’, and the response was the same at the news conference.

Dubois made his best effort to make his team chant his name by waving his arms and glancing at the face-off.

After the Londoner left, Usyk stayed in place and invited Frank Warren, Dubois’ promoter, to pose on the stage.

Warren remarked, “Daniel is approaching his peak.”

Even at the young age he is, “He has had a great grounding and fought more top fighters than most heavyweights.” Because he has already done it, he is aware of how dangerous Oleksandr can be.

Ons Jabeur has said she is to take a “step back” from tennis for her own wellbeing.

The WTA announced on Thursday that the Tunisian had withdrawn from the upcoming Montreal Open and added that the 30-year-old was “the only player in the top 99 who has not entered next month’s US Open”.

“For the past two years I’ve been pushing myself so hard, fighting through injuries and facing many other challenges,” wrote Jabeur in a social media post.

“But, deep down, I haven’t felt happy on court for some time now.

“Tennis is such a beautiful sport. But right now I feel it’s time to take a step back and finally put myself first: to breathe, to heal, and to rediscover the joy of simply living.”

Jabeur has been as high as number two in the women’s rankings but has now dropped to 71st in the world.

A two-time Wimbledon runner-up, she retired from her first round match at the All England Club this year as she struggled on the tournament’s hottest ever opening day.

Following her Wimbeldon exit, Jabeur said: “I’m pretty sad, it really doesn’t really help with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do, even though it has been a very tough season for me.”

She added that she would rest and just “try to disconnect a little bit from tennis” and spend some time with her family.

Manchester United have made a third bid for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo that could be worth up to £70m.

The offer is understood to be an initial £65m, with £5m in add-ons.

Brentford are yet to respond to the offer.

Although United have been strongly linked with Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in recent days, it has always been the priority at Old Trafford to get the Mbeumo deal done in time for Amorim to work with him in the Chicago, where United will largely be based for their 13-day trip.

The 25-year-old scored 20 Premier League goals last season and a number of clubs were interested in him, including Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

However, Mbeumo’s preference was to join United.

Brentford’s other main goal threat, striker Yoane Wissa, is the subject of interest from Newcastle.

Last season Amorim repeatedly spoke about United’s failure to convert their chances.

Their 44 Premier League goals was their worst return in a domestic campaign since they were relegated in 1973-74.

If the transfer goes through, it is likely to mean skipper Bruno Fernandes playing in a deeper role as Cunha is earmarked for one of the two inside forward slots behind a main striker that Amorim prefers.

It will also mean there is even less chance of the four forward players presently in first-team exile – Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony – being brought back into the fold.