Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will meet once again in a rematch for the undisputed world heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, July 19.
Dubois first faced Usyk in 2023, where he was stopped inside nine rounds. However, controversy surrounded the bout after Dubois knocked Usyk to the canvas with a shot deemed a low blow by the referee. Now, the Londoner has been handed the opportunity to seek redemption.
After unifying the heavyweight division by defeating Tyson Fury in May last year, becoming the first undisputed champion in 25 years, Usyk was initially committed to a Fury rematch.
This prevented him from fulfilling a mandatory IBF defence against Dubois. Consequently, Usyk vacated the IBF belt, and Dubois, previously the interim champion, was elevated to full IBF world champion status.
Dubois successfully defended his IBF crown by knocking out former two-time champion Anthony Joshua before a packed Wembley crowd in September.
He was due to defend his title again against Joseph Parker in February, but illness forced him to pull out.
Usyk, speaking ahead of the rematch, said, “I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to once again fight for the undisputed championship. Thank you, Daniel, for taking care of my IBF belt – now I want it back.”
In their first meeting, Usyk had been floored by a punch from Dubois, a moment steeped in controversy after it was ruled a low blow, sparking heated debate over the outcome of the fight.
Currently, Usyk holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight belts and has been ordered to defend the WBO title against Joseph Parker.
Meanwhile, Derek Chisora has been named the mandatory challenger for Dubois’ IBF title. However, an undisputed championship fight takes precedence over mandatory title defences.
Dubois, eager for another shot at Usyk, said, “This is the fight I wanted and demanded and now I get my chance for revenge against Oleksandr Usyk.” He added: “I should have won the first fight and was denied by the judgement of the referee, so I will make no mistake this time around, in front of my people at the national stadium in my home city.”
Confident in his growth as a fighter, Dubois continued: “I am a superior and more dangerous fighter now and Usyk will find this out for himself on July 19. I would like to thank my promoter Frank for making this happen for me and I intend to repay him by becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”
Promoter Frank Warren expressed his excitement over the event, “I am thrilled to deliver this historic undisputed occasion for Daniel at Wembley Stadium.” He went on: “It will be an honour to promote a sporting event of this magnitude and a privilege to bring over a champion of the stature of Oleksandr. I would like to thank Oleksandr and his team at Ready to Fight for their great cooperation in making this fight become a reality.”
Warren concluded: “I am certain that we will see the best of British both in and outside of the ring, from Daniel and the unrivalled fight fans who will pack out the biggest sporting venue in the country.”
