Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois Planned For August 12 In Poland
K2 Promotions, the promotion company behind unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs), claim that Usyk-Dubois will take place in Wrocław, Poland, on August 12. Promoter Alexander Krassyuk told Dan Rafael that the Wrocław Stadium, which has a capacity of 45,000, will be the venue. The Wrocław Stadium was also the site of former champion Vitali Klitschko’s tenth round stoppage victory over Tomasz Adamek in September of 2011.
The revelation comes after K2 Promotions won the purse bid for the fight. 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 Daniel Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs). Should the fight go through, Usyk is entitled to 75% of the winning bid, while Dubois receives 25%.
Path to Poland
Although this will be Dubois’ first fight outside of the UK and USA, Usyk will be having his second fight in Poland. In 2016, Usyk travelled to Gdańsk to fight for the WBO cruiserweight title. He would go on to defeat Krzysztof Głowacki by unanimous decision to win his first ever world title. From there, he would go on to become undisputed cruiserweight champion by claiming the remaining belts against Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev. After one defense as undisputed 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.
Hear Dan Rafael with T.J. Rives with more insight on the purse bid and why Poland is the compelling location for Usyk-Dubois on the “Big Fight Weekend Preview” podcast by clicking below,
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.
A lot of time remains before the proposed date. With an official announcement yet to be made regarding the bout, we could expect changes before the two actually clash in the ring.
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.
