Oleksandr Usyk has brushed off concerns about his age ahead of his blockbuster rematch against Daniel Dubois on Saturday, insisting he remains as motivated and capable as ever in pursuit of becoming an undisputed heavyweight champion for the third time.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian, who currently holds the WBA, WBO, and WBC titles, will face 27-year-old IBF belt holder Dubois in a much-anticipated unification bout at Wembley Stadium. The 11-year age gap between the two fighters has led some analysts to speculate that Usyk could struggle to keep pace with the younger Briton, but the undefeated champion is unfazed.
“Maybe it’s your opinion, I don’t know,” Usyk told reporters on Thursday. “I respect this guy. He is young and motivated, but I am too. I am not old. Thirty-eight is not old, you know? We will see on Saturday.”
This will be the second meeting between the two, following Usyk’s ninth-round stoppage victory over Dubois in Poland in 2023. Since that defeat, Dubois has bounced back with three consecutive wins, including a statement victory over Anthony Joshua at Wembley last September.
With an unblemished record of 23 professional wins, Usyk is aiming to cement his legacy by adding the IBF title and achieving undisputed status once again. His manager, Egis Klimas, was quick to downplay Dubois’ growth, suggesting the Briton remains mentally fragile. “He’s the same guy he was two years ago, with weakness in his mind,” Klimas said, prompting Dubois’ trainer Don Charles to quip that Klimas must have been asleep.
“While I was asleep, Usyk beat Tyson Fury twice,” Klimas retorted, referencing Usyk’s historic back-to-back victories over the ‘Gypsy King’ in May and December 2024.
Despite being labelled the underdog, Dubois is confident he can silence critics and make history. “I’ve prepared right. I’m ready to come through whatever I need to and get all those belts,” said the London-born fighter, who boasts 21 knockouts in 22 wins, with only two career losses.
“I’m hungry and ready for it. This is history-making. I’ve got to do a real demolition job.”
Dubois also brushed off reports that boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez had placed a $500,000 bet on Usyk winning. “It don’t mean nothing to me. He’s going to lose his money. I know what I’ve got to do, I’m a young lion, and I just need to take over and execute him.”
The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at Wembley, where only one man will emerge as the undisputed heavyweight king.
Written By Rodney Mbua
