The debate over that 2023 "low blow" followed Daniel Dubois around like a shadow for years. It was the shot heard 'round the boxing world—or the shot that wasn't, depending on who you ask in a pub. When Oleksandr Usyk vs Dubois 2 finally went down at a packed Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2025, it was supposed to be the moment of absolute clarity. No more slow-motion replays. No more arguments about where a waistband starts and a bladder ends.
It didn't quite work out that way for the Brit.
Instead of a redemptive knockout, Dubois found himself staring at the same reality he faced in Poland, just a whole lot faster. Usyk didn't just win; he dismantled the "Dynamite" hype in five rounds, reclaiming his status as the undisputed heavyweight king. If you were there, or watching on DAZN, you saw a masterclass that honestly felt more like a surgeon working than a boxer fighting.
What Really Happened with the Rematch?
People forget how much momentum Dubois had going into this. He’d just starched Anthony Joshua. He was the IBF champion. He looked like a totally different animal than the kid who took a knee against Joe Joyce. But Usyk? The guy is basically a ghost in 10-ounce gloves.
The rematch was billed as "Undisputed" because Usyk had briefly vacated the IBF belt before coming back to snatch it from Daniel. The atmosphere was electric. 90,000 people. Rain was pouring down on London earlier that evening, making the air thick and humid.
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Dubois came out aggressive. He had to. You don't outbox a guy like Usyk by being polite. He landed some crisp jabs in the first, and for a second, you thought, "Maybe he's got the timing." But by round two, the "Usyk Matrix" started loading. The Ukrainian’s lead hand was a nightmare, just pawing and feinting, neutralizing everything Dubois tried to build.
The Breakdown
By the third round, the speed difference was jarring. Usyk caught him with a left hook that rattled Daniel’s boots. You could see the confidence starting to leak out of the younger man. It’s that mental fatigue people talk about—the feeling that no matter how hard you swing, you’re hitting air, and then getting tagged for your trouble.
- Round 4: Usyk starts the "death by a thousand cuts" routine. He lands 42% of his power shots.
- Round 5: The end. A chopping right hook to the temple drops Dubois. He gets up, but he’s "on skates."
- The Finish: A flush left counter to the chin. Mouthguard flies out. Referee Michael Griffin waves it off.
Just like that, it was over. Five rounds. No controversy this time. No belt-line drama. Just a cold, hard stoppage.
Why the First Fight Still Matters to Fans
You can't talk about Usyk vs Dubois 2 without the context of their first meeting in Wroclaw. That fifth round in 2023 is the reason this rivalry became so bitter. Dubois landed a body shot that crumpled Usyk. The referee, Luis Pabon, called it a low blow immediately.
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Usyk got nearly four minutes to recover.
Dubois' camp, led by Frank Warren and Don Charles, went nuclear. They claimed the shot was on the waistband, not below it. They called Usyk a "cheat" and a "crybaby." Honestly, looking at the stills, it was right on the border. But the rules say the "belly button is the line," and the ref made his call.
In the rematch, Usyk wore his shorts lower. It felt like a subtle dig, a "here, try it now" gesture. He wanted to prove that even without the recovery time, he was the superior fighter. And he did. He silenced the critics who thought he was "too small" or "getting old" at 38.
The Legacy of the Rivalry
Where does this leave Daniel? He’s only 28 now. He's achieved a lot, but he’s run into a generational great twice. His trainer, Don Charles, was gracious after the second loss, admitting they were just in with an all-time legend.
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For Usyk, this win rubber-stamped his place in history. He became the second man after Muhammad Ali to be a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. That’s insane. He’s now looking at a 2026 return, possibly against Deontay Wilder or a final swan song. He’s 24-0 and has basically cleared out the best of the British heavyweights—Joshua, Fury (twice), and Dubois (twice).
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about the Usyk-Dubois saga is that Daniel "quit" in the first fight. People see a guy take a knee and they assume he's soft. But if you've ever been hit by a world-class southpaw who knows exactly where your chin is, you'd know better.
In the rematch, Dubois didn't quit. He was timed. He was out-thought. He was countered by a guy who sees the fight three seconds before it happens.
Actionable Takeaways for Boxing Fans
If you're following the heavyweight division as we move further into 2026, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Feet: If you want to understand why Usyk won both fights, don't look at his hands. Look at his feet. He creates angles that force bigger men to reset their stance constantly.
- The Dubois Rebuild: Don’t write off Daniel. He’s shown he can bounce back from brutal losses. He needs one or two "confidence" fights against top-15 guys before he's ready for another title shot.
- The Undisputed Era: We are in a rare time where the belts aren't being held hostage by politics. Enjoy it. Usyk’s willingness to defend against mandatories like Dubois is what keeps the sport alive.
The chapter on Usyk and Dubois seems closed for now. The Ukrainian has moved on to bigger legacy fights, while Dubois has to go back to the drawing board to prove he can beat the elite technicians of the division.
Keep an eye on the official announcements for Usyk’s next move in the coming months. His team, led by Egis Klimas and Serhiy Lapin, has already teased a massive 2026 return. Whether it's Wilder or a surprise challenger, the heavyweight landscape still revolves around the man from Simferopol.