Oleksandr Usyk Rejects Age Narrative: “I Feel 23” Ahead of Dubois Rematch

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk rejects the narrative that he’s old going into his rematch with IBF champ Daniel Dubois on Saturday, July 19th. Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) says he feels “23,” and believes he’ll show it by potentially knocking out Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) in their headliner on DAZN PPV at Wembley Stadium in London.

Usyk is 38, and he says he’s got two fights left in his career. One of those might be against Tyson Fury if he’s serious about wanting to fight him in 2026.

Usyk Feels Young vs. Dubois

“I feel 23 or 24,” said Oleksandr Usyk to Queensberry when asked about his gray hair ahead of his fight against Daniel Dubois on Saturday.

It would be a mistake for Dubois to assume that the 38-year-old Usyk has gotten old overnight since his victory over Tyson Fury last December. That was only a little over six months ago, and Usyk looks the same as he did then.

Dubois isn’t as tall or as skilled as Fury. So, this could be an easier fight for Usyk, who does well against big punchers.

“Maybe because he’s a world champion,” said Usyk on whether he thinks Dubois has changed since he fought him in 2023. “Daniel has grown. He won his last three fights. Daniel is a little bit different for this fight.”

Dubois may have gained more confidence since his fight with Usyk, but style-wise, he’s the same fighter. Daniel went through a mini-gauntlet against Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Jarrell Miller. Surprisingly, Joshua was the easiest of the three. But even in that fight, Dubois was hurt, fortunate that Joshua got reckless in the fifth.

Usyk: Undisputed Title Matters

“For me, it doesn’t matter. Daniel has the IBF. Enough,” said Usyk when asked if he sees Dubois as a real champion due to him being elevated rather than winning it. “It will be undisputed fight for four belts. Only this for me matters.”

Usyk doesn’t care how Dubois got his hands on the IBF title. He just wants to win the belt from him so he can become undisputed champion again. It would likely be sweeter if Anthony Joshua or the highly hyped Moses Itauma held the IBF belt because there would be more interest in the fight. Usyk would gain more from beating them than Dubois, who has a reputation for quitting.