Oleksandr Usyk predicted a year ago that Daniel Dubois would become world champion.
Dubois, 27, retained his IBF heavyweight world title by knocking out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round of their Wembley clash on Saturday.
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However, a scathing clip from when Dubois faced undefeated champion Usyk a year ago has gone viral, in which he predicted his British opponent would become world champion.
Unified world heavyweight champion Usyk – who relinquished the IBF title earlier this year for a rematch with Tyson Fury – defeats Dubois when they face off in the ring in August 2023.
Dynamite Dan managed to drop the Ukrainian with a body shot in the fifth round of their fight in Poland, but it was later controversially ruled a low blow.
And unlike the clash with A.J., Usyk ultimately knocked out Dubois in the ninth round.
Their encounter left Usyk – who was 36 at the time – impressed, and he then offered some words of encouragement to his younger opponent.
In a clip from their post-fight one year ago, Usyk told Dubois he can dream of reaching the top.
He said: “It’s not bad. It’s boxing. It’s not ballet, it’s not dancing.”
“Daniel you’re young. You can dream.
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“Dude, calm down, it’s boxing. It’s a tough sport, bro.”
Dubois has remained undefeated since then, and would now like a rematch with Usyk – as he also believes he should have won their first encounter despite the narrow decision margin.
However, Dubois – who described himself as a “gladiator” after his win over AJ – will only know his next opponent when Usyk faces Tyson Fury for a second time.
When Usyk first faced Fury in May he won via split decision, but they now have a rematch scheduled for December 21st.
This means that Dubois could face the Gypsy King.
However, promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Joshua would like to exercise the rematch clause against Dubois, meaning they will fight again before moving on with new opponents.
Round by round: How Dubois demolished Joshua
ANTHONY JOSHUA bravely picked himself up off the floor against Daniel Dubois – until he couldn’t go on any more.
AJ was knocked down four times by Dubois in round five before a powerful counter right ended the show in dramatic fashion.
Here, SunSport’s Jack Figg gives you a round-by-round look at the Wembley battle.
round 1
Dubois moved quickly with the jab and had Joshua bouncing around, struggling to deal with the piston-like left.
A massive right hand from Dubois sent AJ staggering backwards with his hands still down from the opening bell.
Joshua paid the price for his mistake, as he came out with his hands down and got felled by an overhand right.
Round 2
Joshua – who only survived the knockout at the bell after falling to the ground – struggles to move forward as he is hit with blows to the face.
AJ is stumbling around the ring and his guard is dangerously low again and the pressure is mounting.
Joshua is trying to get back in the fight, but his jab looks very sluggish – it looks like he can’t recover from the knockdown.
Round 3
AJ comes out with more intent, but swings wildly with a right hand and only connects with thin air.
Dubois increased the pressure and backed Joshua into the corner and scored another knockdown.
The bell sounds but then Dubois lands the ball a time or two – once again AJ is saved by the clock as the writing looks to be on the wall.
Round 4
Accident happens again, Joshua falls to the ground once again – he loses his balance the moment he touches the canvas.
The referee gave AJ another chance and Dubois landed a soft blow – which gave the challenger some relief.
Dubois slowed down as round four ended, while Joshua showed great resilience to stay in the match.
Round 5
Joshua lands a powerful right hand and Dubois’ legs buckle – a surprise turnaround looks likely.
AJ presses Dubois to the ropes and attempts one of his signature uppercuts, but the counter right hand gets there first.
Joshua is caught straight on the chin, knocked down once again and this time out for good. Dubois scores a stunning KO win.
Usyk also gave his opinion on the Battle of Britain bout and told Boxing King Media: “I’m not surprised because it’s boxing.
“Daniel Dubois was better today.
“Anthony had a problem.
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“Because this position (leaning back with feet on the ground) is dangerous.
“If you want, you can back off like this (take one leg back), not like this (bend again) because that’s dangerous. We saw that.”
‘Are you not entertained? I’m a gladiator’ – What Dubois and Joshua said after brutal fight
Daniel Dubois has shattered Anthony Joshua’s dreams of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion, writes Wally Downes Jr.
Joshua was stunned Four Dubois retained his IBF belt by scoring a stunning fifth-round knockout in front of a record 96,000 Wembley crowd and millions of TV viewers.
AJ, 34, never recovered after falling in the first round of last night’s Battle of Britain after a huge right hand from Dubois struck him on the chin.
Here is what he said after the fight:
Daniel DuBois
“Are you not entertained? I am a gladiator, a warrior who fights to the end. This is the biggest win of my career. I couldn’t let this opportunity go and now I want to go to the top level of this sport.
“I’ve been on a roller-coaster ride and it’s my time. I’m not stopping until I reach my full potential.”
Anthony Joshua
“No matter how angry I get, it is the way it is.
“I had a fast and quick opponent and I made a lot of mistakes. Credit goes to my opponent and his team.
“We rolled the dice and lost. You know I’m angry, but I’ll stay calm and respect my opponent.”
Frank Warren (DuBois’ promoter)
“It was a phenomenal fight, like Hagler vs. Hearns.
“It was a fantastic fight and everyone saw the performance of a champion tonight.
“Daniel has shown his courage, his skill.
“AJ caught him with a shot at the end and I was worried, but it was a great, amazing fight.”
Eddie Hearn (AJ’s promoter)
“AJ landed a big right hand in the first round and was fighting from the heart.
“He hurt Daniel at the end of the fourth and then again in the fifth but got greedy and went for the right hand and that was all he wrote.
“I’m sure Anthony will exercise the rematch clause.”
