Oleksandr Usyk has brushed aside concerns that his age could be a deciding factor in Saturday’s highly anticipated undisputed world heavyweight title showdown with Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
At 38, Usyk is 11 years older than the 27-year-old Dubois. But the reigning WBA, WBO, and WBC champion insists age is merely a number as he prepares to face the IBF belt holder in their second clash.
“It’s your opinion? Maybe, I don’t know. I not feel rattled,” Usyk said at Thursday’s press conference. “I respect this guy, this young guy. This guy is motivated, but I am too. I am not an old guy. 38 is not old, you know? We will see on Saturday.”
Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round of their first bout in Poland in 2023 and remains unbeaten in 23 professional fights. A victory this weekend would make him an undisputed champion for the third time, further cementing his place in boxing history.
Dubois, however, enters the ring with confidence after winning three consecutive fights since his loss to Usyk, including a notable triumph over Anthony Joshua at Wembley last September. The British heavyweight is determined to silence critics who question his mental fortitude.
“I’m going to write my own script,” said Dubois. “They have their own script, I am going to write mine and win these belts. I’m hungry and ready for it.”
Tensions simmered during the final media interactions. Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas called Dubois the “same guy” from two years ago with “weakness” in his mind—a claim that irked Dubois’s trainer Don Charles. Klimas fired back humorously: “While I was asleep, Usyk beat Tyson Fury twice.”
Dubois, focused on glory, dismissed reports that boxing great Canelo Alvarez had bet $500,000 on Usyk. “He is going to lose his money,” Dubois said. “I know what I’ve got to do. I’m a young lion. I just need to take over and execute him.”
With legacy, history, and four world titles on the line, Saturday’s clash promises fireworks as youth meets experience on boxing’s biggest stage.
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