‘I’m not an old guy’ – Usyk plays down age concerns before Dubois fight

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.