Oleksandr Usyk-Daniel Dubois Moved To August 26
Previously, Big Fight Weekend reported on K2 Promotions winning the purse bid for a showdown between Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and Daniel Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs). Originally, K2 Promotions, the company that promotes unified heavyweight champion Usyk, claimed that the bout would take place in Wrocław, Poland, on August 12. However, that date has now been changed to August 26.
On May 25, the WBA ordered a purse bid for a fight between Usyk and Dubois after their teams failed to reach a deal to schedule a bout between the two. K2 Promotions won the purse bid for the fight as they made an offer of $8,057,000, which was significantly higher than the bid of $5,620,050 made by Queensberry Promotions, who promote Dubois. Usyk is entitled to 75% of the winning bid, while Dubois receives 25%.
Reason for the change
Alexander Krassyuk, the head of K2 Promotions, was recently interviewed by TVP Sport. He explained that the reason for moving the fight date forward was to make it closer to Ukrainian Independence Day. August 24 is the day of Ukrainian Independence, a date that had been declared in 1991. This year, August 24 falls on a Thursday. August 26, the date on which the fight has been shifted to, is on a Saturday. The fight is still set to take place at the Wrocław Stadium in Wrocław. However, fight fans will need to wait an additional two weeks for the clash to take place. IFL TV also confirmed in a tweet today of the proposed date shift.
Path to Poland
After becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion, Usyk moved up to heavyweight, beating Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora. He then got the opportunity to face Anthony Joshua. Usyk first defeated Joshua by unanimous decision in Tottenham, England to become heavyweight champion. A rematch took place nearly a year later in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Usyk would successfully defend his titles, this time winning by split decision.
Daniel Dubois made his professional debut in April of 2017. He knocked out 14 of his first 15 opponents before losing by knockout to Joe Joyce in 2020. Since that loss, Dubois has fought four times, winning each bout by stoppage. Wins over Trevor Bryan and Kevin Lerena helped him secure a mandatory spot with the WBA. After negotiations for a fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury failed, Dubois received the opportunity to face Usyk.
To remain up to date on any Usyk-Dubois developments, make sure to check back on Big Fight Weekend.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
