Usyk Vs. Dubois Set To Go Ahead On August 26th On ‘TNT Sports PPV’
Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will put his IBF, WBA and WBO titles on the line against Daniel Dubois on August 26th, 2023, from the Wroclaw Stadium, Poland, live on TNT Sports pay-per-view in the UK.
Usyk had been in talks to fight Tyson Fury for an undisputed fight in April at Wembley only for talks to break down.
As a result, the Ukrainian resorted to serving his mandatory obligations as the WBA ordered a defense against Dubois.
BREAKING: Oleksandr Usyk has announced his unified world heavyweight title defence against Daniel Dubois in Poland on August 26 🥊 pic.twitter.com/cuk6JsIBGt
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 6, 2023
Usyk will be a heavy favorite following his back-to-back wins over Anthony Joshua. Meanwhile, Dubois enters the fight after having come through a tough bout against Kevin Lerena.
Despite stopping him, Dubois injured his knee and hit the canvas three times. However, given that the unified heavyweight championship is up for grabs, both fighters have it all to play for.
Usyk knows that a win keeps his hopes alive of becoming undisputed, while Dubois has the chance to become world champion for the first time.
Victory for Usyk will also increase the pressure on Fury to face him for the undisputed bout.
In contrast, a win for Dubois would make an undisputed fight a lot smoother since he and Fury are under the same promoter.
Reaction
“I am very glad that we have the opportunity to organise my fight in Poland, where I won my first world title seven years ago. I want to thank the Polish people who are helping Ukraine so sincerely.
Hundreds of thousands of my compatriots have been hosted by this wonderful country. Therefore, I hope that my fight will become one more opportunity for Ukrainians and people of Poland to unite and strengthen our friendship,” Usyk
“He is a great fighter and I do respect him, but it’s my time now. I’m going to shock the world and show people how good Daniel Dubois really is,” Dubois
Despite the enthusiasm from both fighters, the pay-per-view has not gone down well with the boxing community given that Usyk is seen as a clear favorite.
And by the looks of it, there has been a reluctance to participate in the pay-per-view event.
Social Media Reaction
Personally don’t think it’s PPV worthy due to Dubois but playing devils advocate Joseph Parker fought Dillian Whtye and Derek Chisora on PPV in non Title bouts. Usyk vs Chisora was also on PPV. Matchroom FC defended those PPV Shows 🤔
— Hamed (@HamedBoxing) July 5, 2023
we will NOT be watching
— lean™️ (@leanmma___) July 5, 2023
PPV 😂😂😂😂
— Cooper Donnelly (@cooperdonnelly) July 5, 2023