The heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois could now become a reality after all – according to the WBO, a proposal to unify all titles is on the table.
A heavyweight superfight is on the horizon: Oleksandr Usyk (WBA-Super, WBC and WBO) and Daniel Dubois (IBF) could soon be boxing for all four recognized world heavyweight titles. As the WBO confirmed, the world federation has received an application for approval of the unification fight. “There is currently a request before the World Championships Committee to consider a unification fight between Usyk and Dubois to consolidate the heavyweight division,” WBO President Gustavo Olivieri told The Ring. “It is argued that this takes precedence over the mandatory defense against Joseph Parker.”
Mandatory defense on ice?
The WBO had actually ordered Oleksandr Usyk to defend his title against “interim” champion Joseph Parker in March. The parties were granted a 30-day negotiation period – but the new development could turn everything upside down.
Usyk had already expressed his desire to face Dubois in February in order to unify all titles again. He had first secured the heavyweight crown in May 2024 with a points win over Tyson Fury, but had to relinquish the IBF title to accommodate a Fury rematch. Dubois then moved up to IBF world champion by beating Filip Hrgovic.
Dubois wants revenge – and justice
The unification fight is also an affair of the heart for Daniel Dubois. The Brit lost by knockout to Usyk in Wroclaw in the summer of 2023, but felt cheated out of victory after a controversial low blow in round five. “I want justice. That wasn’t a low blow – I want revenge,” Dubois recently told The Ring. The fight caused heated discussions for a long time, especially in the UK, where many fans questioned the referee’s decision.
In boxing circles, the WBO is expected to approve the application – the economic potential of an undisputed fight is too great. However, it remains to be seen whether the IBF and WBA will also give their approval. According to reports, the IBF plans to ask Dubois to defend his title against Derek Chisora on April 22.
Should the Usyk-Dubois fight materialize, several top boxers would be left out for the time being – including German Agit Kabayel, who secured the WBC interim title with a knockout win over Zhang Zhilei in February. “I don’t think I’ll be fighting Usyk next,” Kabayel told sport.de. “But we have to be ready – it can happen quickly.”
Text by Robin Josten