Oleksandr Usyk opens as a big favourite, but multiple members of the boxing fraternity believe Daniel Dubois can upset the odds.
The heavyweight titans are set to square off for undisputed supremacy this Saturday in a much-anticipated rematch at Wembley Stadium.
When they met for the first time in August 2023, Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round with a stiff jab.
In the immediate aftermath, the Brit’s mentality came under immense scrutiny after he saw out the count on one knee.
However, he has since silenced his detractors with a trio of impressive wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua.
Dubois will be vying to become Britain’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Meanwhile, Usyk is looking to reclaim his throne after previously unifying the division against Tyson Fury last May.
The Ukrainian slickster is the lineal, WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight king, but he was forced to vacate the final piece of the undisputed puzzle, the IBF strap, last June to pursue a rematch with Fury.
As a result, Dubois was elevated from interim to full IBF world champion and will now get a second crack at Usyk in a four-belt shootout.
Many believe ‘Triple D’ is a completely different animal heading into the rematch, and even those who expect Usyk to do the business again, concede that the fight is likely to be far more competitive this time around.
Several of the industry’s biggest names have had their say on the clash.
And here, talkSPORT.com looks at the standout predictions.
Who is backing Usyk?
Canelo Alvarez
Canelo Alvarez is so confident Usyk will get his hand raised that he placed a $500,000 bet on the outcome.
Taking to social media to share his betting slip, he wrote: “Over the past five years, Usyk has beaten the best.
“Oleksandr has very strong stamina; he’s very technical and smart.
“When I see someone with that kind of focus, I back them.
“That’s why I placed a big bet on his victory. Oleksandr, you do you!”
Derek Chisora
Chisora told talkSPORT: “The safe money is on Usyk, I’m not going to lie to you.
“But you never know with this young kid [Daniel Dubois].
“He’s hungry, he wants it. This is the second time coming around for this fight, so everybody is going to be pushing.
“We will see what happens on July 19.”
Johnny Nelson
“I’m going with Usyk. I think Dubois boxes better than he did the first time,” Nelson told talkSPORT.
“But I think Usyk is far too technically superior. “
Tony Bellew
“Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world. He’s probably the best heavyweight of our era; there is no disputing it anymore.
“He’s amazing at what he does. Dubois has been amazing. I’ve wrote him off on a number of occasions and he’s come back to prove me wrong.
“You’ve got to give him a shot, and he’s in with a chance, but Usyk has already made him quit once, so can he make him do it again?
“He is at a stage in his career now where he’s overcome such adversity, and he’s the most confident he’s ever been.
“But I think he’ll get stopped between rounds eight and 12.”
Who is backing Dubois?
Lennox Lewis
“I’m thinking he’s ready. He’s been through the trials and tribulations.
“He’s the king slayer. He’s got the power. He’s been there before. He was just there, he knocked the guy down, so he knows what he needs to do.
“It’s not an easy task, but he’s definitely the man that can go through with it. He’s done the work. He’s gone through the pedigree.
“He’s a certified world champion and I think he has big hopes on doing it. He’s going to do it.
“Obviously he’s seen a weakness in the first fight. I believe that there’s a weakness, you gotta attack it. Don’t give him no shortcuts.
“This fight is everything. I know Daniel’s a pretty determined, focused fighter. He’s going to be ready.”
Spencer Oliver
“I know Daniel Dubois, I have seen him work and know what they are working on tactically,” Oliver told talkSPORT.
“They seemed quite far apart in 2023, Usyk was leagues apart from Dubois then.
“But he [Usyk] has not got much better since fighting Dubois, there is a lot of miles on the clock since then.
“There is no sign of deterioration, but Dubois is a different animal and a different character since that first fight.
“The two fights with Fury have put miles on the clock with Usyk, but Dubois has improved dramatically physically and mentally since then.
“This is a completely different fight since the first one, I’m tipping Dubois.”
Simon Jordan
“I said it to Oleksandr Usyk, and there is no favouritism here, but I think that it is Daniel Dubois’ time.
“He is a ferocious beast and I think he deserves all the plaudits…
“I think he has to get it done inside the distance, I think it is unlikely he will win on points.”
Dave Allen
“I don’t think he [Usyk] is a heavyweight. I still think he can do cruiserweight still now,” Allen told talkSPORT.
“I think it is all about timing. Daniel Dubois is getting better and better all the time and I think this is the right time for Daniel Dubois to beat Usyk.”
Don’t miss Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois on Saturday July 19, Live only on DAZN. Buy now at DAZN.com/boxing
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