TONIGHT -The Main Event: Usyk, the Ukrainian heavyweight with a perfect 20-0 record, will defend his WBC, IBF, and WBA heavyweight itles. He’s got his eyes on victory, but across the ring will be the heavy-hitting British powerhouse, Daniel Dubois. With 19 wins, 18 by knockout, Dubois is hungry for his first full world title
The Venue: The Tarczynski Arena, with a 45,000 capacity crowd, is the battleground for this colossal bout. Expect a roaring crowd on Ukrainian Independence Day weekend. Time: British Summer Time (BST): 6 p.m.
Speaking to Boxing News ahead of their bout in Wroclaw, Poland, on Saturday night, Dubois trainer Don Charles said:
“Daniel needs to stop Usyk. We’re not going to get anything gifted to us here; we have to literally go there and seize those titles.”
A frank revelation. Charles isn’t shy to admit that Dubois’s main route to success is stopping Usyk. Is this a bold strategy or a risky move?
Preparing for Oleksandr Usyk Challenge:
“Yeah, listen, I can name a number 101 things here, I’ll keep it very simple. I’m a very simple man. I’m a very basic man, and simplicity sometimes is the best way, less is more. We know what Usyk does, and we need to get him to dance to our tune. That’s really what we’ve been putting our efforts into. Let him react. Yeah, we’ve got to be proactive rather than reactive; let him react to what we’re doing rather than reacting to what he’s doing.”
Your Greatest Night in Boxing If Successful?
“Well, it has to be; there’s a few. I’ve had some really brilliant wins with certain fighters that are trained, and yeah, this will top it up because of the magnitude of it and also what’s at stake. So yes, it will be the more, and also being as I’ve never trained anybody to win a world title, so when we pull it off, yes, this will surpass anything I’ve achieved so far up to date in 20 years.”
For Charles, the stakes are high. A victory would not only be a triumph for Dubois but also the pinnacle of his own career.
How Big of an Upset If Dubois Wins?
“I totally understand the public and not saying they’re not seeing what they’re saying or what they’ve witnessed in the past, no. I just know we believe in ourselves, our ability. We believe in destiny, and we were destined. Daniel’s destined to do this, and I was destined to be his coach when he does it.”
Is a victory for Dubois an upset? Charles thinks not. He sees destiny at play, a belief in their abilities. Could this unwavering confidence be the key to triumph?
Usyk Overlooking Dubois
“A lot of the attention was focused talking about the Fury fight after this fight, his next fight, so a lot of it’s only in the last few weeks where they’ve changed their tone that we have to concentrate on this fight ahead. Prior the first seven or eight weeks of when this fight was announced, all I was reading is that they’re talking about his next fight. I said fantastic, that really plays into our hands.”
Charles accuses Team Usyk of overlooking Dubois. A grave mistake? Or a calculated move?
“You have to acknowledge Usyk, you know, he’s a masterful boxer like Daniel, and he’s done very well. Everything that has the beginning has to have an end. He will sustain his first loss at the heavyweight division, and yeah, so anyone tuning in, all the people tuning in, you’re going to see a great fight. Whatever happens, you’re going to see a great fight. The champion wants to retain his titles, but the challenger, we’re here, we’re on a mission to relieve him of those titles, period.”
The Undercard: Starting at 6 pm UK time, TNT Sports Box Office will also broadcast the undercard, setting the stage for a night of explosive action.
How to Watch: In the UK, the fight is available for £19.95 through TNT Sports Box Office. You can watch via BT, Virgin Media TV, Sky, or online. In the Republic of Ireland, prices are €29.99 or €34.99 (on the day).
For Virgin Media TV Customers: Visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events, depending on your set-top box.
BT TV Customers: Tune in to channel 494 and pay using your remote control.
Online: Visit www.tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice to subscribe and watch on the web or the TNT Sports Box Office App. Use Google Chromecast and Apple Airplay for the big screen experience. In the US, watch Usky – Dubois live on ESPN+
Mobile Bill Payment: EE, Three, Vodafone, and O2 customers can add the payment to their mobile bill.
Sky Customers: Purchase TNT Sports Box Office on channel 490 via their remote control or via https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/tnt-sports.
