Daniel Dubois sets sights on Oleksandr Usyk trilogy fight
After seeing off Fabio Wardley, Dubois would relish the chance to avenge previous defeats.
Daniel Dubois wants a trilogy fight with Oleksandr Usyk following his destructive coming-of-age victory over Fabio Wardley at The O2 Arena on Saturday.
Dubois dominated their rematch from the moment he floored Wardley after just 17 seconds and referee Steve Gray waved off the contest in the second round as the underdog continued to absorb heavy punishment.
It was a performance that elevates Dubois to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division and now the WBO world champion is eager to avenge his two losses to Usyk in the belief he has developed the tools to defeat the Ukrainian great.
Usyk relinquished the WBC, WBA and IBF belts soon after labouring to a late stoppage over kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May but is fighting on, with promoter Frank Warren ready to “get him back into the equation”.
“Definitely, definitely – I’d love that,” Dubois said. “We’re coming out on top this time. We’ve made our mistakes and we’re coming out on top.
“I want to continue the momentum I’ve got from this fight and take it into the next one. I’ll fight whoever is next in line, whoever pays the most cash!”
By overwhelming a tough opponent respected for his durability, Dubois signalled he is a fighter who has entered his prime while outside the ring he is also more at ease in the public gaze.
Alongside last week’s revelation that he plays the harp, the 29-year-old Londoner is winning friends through his awkward sense of humour. But he is also impatient to line up his next opponent.
Usyk is one possibility, as is the winner of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua on December 11, IBF champion Filip Hrgovic, WBC belt holder Agit Kabayel and WBA king Murat Gassiev.
“The name of the game is to get all four belts,” Warren said. “Daniel wants the four belts but so do the other guys and that’s what so exciting because we’re making it happen. Let’s find out who is the best.
“When Daniel’s at his best, you’ve got to be some fighter to be able to take those shots. He’s a tremendous puncher and if he gets you in trouble, you’re in trouble.”
Wardley vowed to return following the second defeat of his career but having lost twice to Dubois, taken heavy damage in the process and had his technical limitations brutally exposed, his place in the division is unclear.
Even during his ring walk Dubois exuded menace but he denies the plan was to go after Wardley from the start.
“No, it wasn’t deliberate, it just happened,” Dubois said. “I was just so on it and wasn’t going to be denied. I refused to lose.
“There were a lot of mental scars for him, so I just had to bring him back to that place. It’s a memory isn’t it.
“Fabio has got a great chin and is known for taking punishment but I was going through him with my punches. I had to pull myself back at times and reset.”