On July 19, 2025, under the dazzling lights of Wembley Stadium and in front of a crowd of 90,000 fervent fans, Oleksandr Usyk etched his name even deeper into the annals of boxing history.
Facing off against a formidable Daniel Dubois in their highly anticipated rematch, Usyk delivered a sensational fifth-round knockout, becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion and reaffirming his legend as one of the greatest boxers of the modern era.
This victory, punctuated by a ruthless display of technical brilliance and raw power, underscores Usyk’s mastery of the sport and solidifies his place alongside the all-time heavyweight greats.
The Road to Wembley: Rivalry and Redemption
Backstory: A Tale of Two Fighters
The Usyk-Dubois rivalry began in August 2023, during a controversial first encounter. Usyk, already holding multiple belts, stopped Dubois in Wrocław, Poland, after surviving a contentious low blow incident. Dubois’ camp maintained the shot was legitimate; Usyk recovered, rallied, and ultimately stopped Dubois in the ninth round.
Following that drama, Usyk’s career soared higher. In May 2024, he unified the heavyweight division by outpointing Tyson Fury to claim all four major belts, becoming the first man in the four-belt era to do so. However, the complexity of mandatory defenses and boxing politics soon led to Usyk being stripped of his IBF title, which Dubois then claimed by knocking out Anthony Joshua in September 2024 at Wembley.
Both men entered their rematch with much to prove: Dubois eager for redemption, still aggrieved by the outcome of their first fight, and Usyk, determined to cement his dominance and reclaim his status as the singular king of boxing’s glamor division.
The Build-Up: Expectations and Tensions
The anticipation for Usyk vs. Dubois II was electric. Dubois, emboldened by his IBF title win and an intense training camp, believed he was wronged in their first bout and sought vindication. Usyk, ever the technician and tactician, embraced the shot at history, aiming to become the first heavyweight since Muhammad Ali to reign twice as undisputed champion in the modern era.
Fight week in London was abuzz. Media sessions were packed and tempers occasionally flared. Usyk’s legendary calm contrasted with Dubois’ frustrated energy; the Ukrainian’s focus was palpable—his eyes set not merely on victory, but on legacy.
Fight Night: Atmosphere and Undercard Highlights
Wembley Stadium, drenched in a heavy rain that could not dampen spirits, welcomed 90,000 fans for a night of boxing spectacle. On the undercard, notable prospects and up-and-coming champions strutted their stuff, but the entire arena thrummed with anticipation for the main event.
Usyk’s ring entrance was methodical, his face an inscrutable mask. Dubois, six inches taller and nearly 30 pounds heavier, looked confident but slightly tense. The undisputed heavyweight championship was at stake—the highest honor in boxing.
The Battle: Round-by-Round Account
Early Rounds: Usyk’s Masterclass
From the opening bell, it was clear Usyk would set the pace. The Ukrainian southpaw’s movement, rhythm, and footwork kept Dubois unsettled. Usyk jabbed with precision, darting in and out of range, using feints and angles to control the space and tempo. Dubois pressed forward with aggression, searching for the body, but Usyk’s defense was airtight, and his counter-punching exceptional.
The first four rounds saw Usyk rack up points with crisp left hands and combinations. Dubois landed the occasional jab, but struggled to pin down the elusive champion. Usyk’s vaunted stamina and intelligence translated into sustained pressure and slick ring generalship, slowly wearing down Dubois’s resolve.
“He showcased his skills across the board – evading Dubois’ strikes with agile footwork, delivering precise counter punches, and exhibiting genuine heavyweight strength,” observed one ringside commentator.
The Fifth Round: Brutality and Brilliance
The pivotal moment came midway through the fifth round. After stunning Dubois with a right over the top, Usyk saw his adversary rise, glassy-eyed, from a swift trip to the canvas. The end now loomed large.
With the crowd roaring, Usyk unleashed his signature left—”Ivan” as he calls it—a left hook that crashed onto Dubois’ jaw. The British boxer fell hard, propped on one elbow, unable to summon the strength to beat the referee’s count. The fight was waved off at the 1:52 mark of the fifth, sending Usyk to his knees in jubilation and back into the throne as undisputed heavyweight champion.
Statistical Breakdown
Usyk’s dominance was reflected not just in the outcome, but in the numbers:
| Category | Usyk | Dubois |
|---|---|---|
| Knockdowns | 2 | 0 |
| Rounds Won* | All 4 before KO | 0 |
| Power Punch % | 46% | N/A |
| Total Record | 24-0 (15 KOs) | 22-3 (21 KOs) |
*At the time of stoppage
He connected on nearly half of his power punches, a staggering 73% in the final, decisive round.
Aftermath: Reactions and Implications
Usyk’s Historic Achievement
By reclaiming the belts he’d never lost in the ring, Usyk became the first man of the four-belt era to become undisputed heavyweight champion twice—and is the only fighter since Muhammad Ali to do so. He also extended his undefeated professional record to 24-0, with wins over elite names like Anthony Joshua (twice), Tyson Fury (twice), and now Dubois (twice).
“Undisputed first at cruiserweight…became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in a quarter of a century, and the first of the four belt era, when he beat Tyson Fury last year”—a feat unmatched in boxing’s modern age.
Dubois’ Response
After the fight, Dubois was magnanimous in defeat:
“I must commend him on his performance; I gave it everything I had. I take nothing away from that man, and I will return,” Dubois stated.
Despite three career losses—each by knockout—Dubois remains a dangerous contender in the division and promises to be heard from again.
The Boxing World Responds
The reaction from fighters, pundits, and fans was unanimous: Usyk’s performance was a generational display of skill, heart, and finishing ability. Former rival Anthony Joshua, now dethroned by both Dubois and Usyk, called the Ukrainian “unbelievable,” recognizing Usyk’s supremacy in the current heavyweight landscape.
Legacy and the Future
Where Does Usyk Stand Among Heavyweight Greats?
With this win, Usyk’s place in history is beyond dispute. He stands alone as the only man to become undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight since Evander Holyfield—yet did so in the most competitive era, unifying all four major belts in both divisions.
Usyk’s reigns have been characterized by technical prowess, elite footwork, strategic brilliance, and a steely will to win. His career mirrors and, in some ways, exceeds those of his illustrious predecessors, given the complexity of modern boxing politics and championship fragmentation.
What’s Next?
At 38, Usyk has openly mused about retirement, suggesting he has perhaps only one more fight left in his glittering career. The names circling him include a trilogy bout with Tyson Fury, who has reportedly resumed training for a potential rubber match. Other contenders—like WBO interim titleholder Joseph Parker—wait in the wings.
But for now, Usyk’s focus is on rest and family. “There’s nothing lined up next. I’ve had enough. I just want to take a break for two or three months,” he told reporters following his triumph.
Oleksandr Usyk’s brutal knockout victory over Daniel Dubois was not just a win, but a statement. It reaffirmed his status as the era’s finest heavyweight, endowed him with a unique place in boxing lore, and delighted fans hungry for clarity and greatness in the sport’s marquee division.
With a legacy now unassailable—and with every indication that history will recall him alongside the noblest names of the sweet science—Oleksandr Usyk’s reign as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion is both an inspiration and a challenge to every fighter who dares to dream big.
Key Takeaways
- Oleksandr Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois via brutal fifth-round knockout at Wembley, regaining the undisputed heavyweight championship for the second time.
- The victory solidifies Usyk’s reputation as one of the all-time greats, and the first in boxing’s four-belt era to claim undisputed status twice at heavyweight.
- Usyk’s performance was marked by tactical mastery, relentless combinations, and a signature left hook that ended the contest.
- The boxing world now awaits Usyk’s next move—be it a trilogy with Fury, a legacy bout with Parker, or a well-deserved retirement at the summit of the sport.
Oleksandr Usyk’s unforgettable night at Wembley stands as a testament to the heights boxing can reach when technical brilliance meets championship resolve. On July 19, 2025, “The Cat” roared—leaving no doubt who reigns atop the heavyweight mountain