Oleksandr Usyk has brushed off talk that his age could be a problem in his upcoming heavyweight title fight against Daniel Dubois this Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
Usyk, who is 38 years old, holds the WBA, WBO, and WBC titles. He’s 11 years older than Dubois, who recently won the IBF belt. This age gap has led some to question whether Usyk can keep up with the younger fighter.
But the Ukrainian champion isn’t worried.
“Maybe that’s your opinion,” he said. “I don’t feel old. I respect this young guy, but I’m motivated too. We’ll see what happens on Saturday.”
This will be their second meeting. Usyk won their first fight in 2023 with a ninth-round stoppage in Poland. Now unbeaten in 23 fights, Usyk hopes to become undisputed heavyweight champion for a third time.
Dubois has bounced back since that loss, winning three straight fights, including a big win over Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September.
To become Britain’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, Dubois knows he must prove he’s mentally strong.
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, claimed Dubois hasn’t changed since their last fight and still has a “weak mind.” That sparked a sharp response from Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles.
“Maybe I was asleep,” Klimas replied. “But Usyk beat Tyson Fury twice while I was.”
Indeed, Usyk famously defeated Fury twice in 2024, first in May, then again in December.
Dubois, however, believes he’s ready to shock the world.
“I’m writing my own story now,” he said. “I’ve prepared well, and I’m ready for whatever comes. I want to make history and win all the belts.”
Dubois, who has knocked out 21 of his 22 opponents, also responded to rumours that Canelo Alvarez bet $500,000 on Usyk to win.
“It means nothing,” Dubois said. “He’ll lose his money. I know what I have to do. I’m a young lion, and it’s time to take over.”
