The boxing world is still arguing about that low blow. Or was it a legal body shot? If you ask Oleksandr Usyk, his guts were nearly rearranged by an illegal strike. If you ask Daniel Dubois, he was robbed of the unified heavyweight championship of the world in a rainy stadium in Poland. That single moment in August 2023 is exactly why Usyk vs Dubois 2 has become one of the most polarizing conversations in the heavyweight division. It’s not just about belts anymore. It’s about validation.
Boxing is weird. Usually, when a guy gets stopped in the ninth round, we move on. But Dubois didn't just go away. He rebuilt. He smashed through Filip Hrgovic. He flattened Anthony Joshua in front of nearly 100,000 people at Wembley. Suddenly, the "quitter" narrative died. Now, the prospect of a second fight isn't just a contractual obligation or a "what if"—it's a massive commercial juggernaut.
The Low Blow That Started the Usyk vs Dubois 2 Fire
Let's be real for a second. We’ve all seen the replay a thousand times. Round five. Dubois lands a right hand that catches Usyk right on the waistband—or maybe just below it. Usyk goes down. He looks hurt. Like, really hurt. Referee Luis Pabon calls it low immediately. No count. Usyk gets nearly four minutes to recover.
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Don Warren and the Queensberry Promotions camp went nuclear after that. They filed appeals. They posted screengrabs on Twitter. They talked about "robbery." But the WBA upheld the result. Still, that seed of doubt is why Usyk vs Dubois 2 feels necessary for the history books. Did Usyk milk it? Some experts, like former champion Carl Froch, suggested Usyk "took advantage" of the referee's call. Others, including Tony Bellew, adamantely defended the champion, saying anything on the belt is low.
This tension creates a narrative that marketers dream of. You have the master technician in Usyk, a man who seems almost mystical in his ability to find a way to win. Then you have "Dynamite" Dubois, the young powerhouse who has found his confidence and is currently hitting like a literal truck.
What's Changed Since the First Fight?
Everything.
When they first met, Dubois was coming off a shaky performance against Kevin Lerena where his knee gave out. People thought he was soft. They thought he didn't have the "dog" in him. Since then, Dubois has turned into a wrecking ball. His win over Anthony Joshua changed the physics of the heavyweight landscape. He didn't just win; he bullied a two-time champion.
Usyk, meanwhile, has been busy becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era by defeating Tyson Fury. He’s older. He’s smaller than the "Big Four" of the division. But he's smarter than everyone else.
In a potential Usyk vs Dubois 2, we aren't seeing the same Dubois who looked hesitant in Wroclaw. We’re seeing an IBF champion who believes he belongs at the very top. Don King used to say "youth must be served," and Dubois is banking on the fact that Usyk’s 37-year-old body can’t take the sustained pressure he’s now capable of applying.
The Tactical Nightmare for Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk is a genius. I don’t use that word lightly. The way he uses his lead foot to trap opponents and his constant head movement makes him a nightmare to hit cleanly. But in the first fight, Dubois found a weakness: the body.
Whether that shot was low or not, it showed that Usyk is human when you dig to the ribs and stomach. In the rematch, expect Dubois to target the midsection relentlessly. He won't just look for one "low" shot; he'll look to wind the Ukrainian master from the opening bell.
Usyk’s response will likely be what it always is—movement. He’ll look to make Dubois miss and pay. He’ll use that snapping jab to disrupt the rhythm. Honestly, it's a chess match where one player has a sledgehammer and the other has a scalpel.
Why the Fans are Demanding Usyk vs Dubois 2
The heavyweight division has been a mess of politics for years. But lately, thanks to the massive investment from Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Season, the big fights are actually happening. Fans want closure.
- The Controversy: As long as that "low blow" exists without a definitive answer, Usyk’s first win has a tiny asterisk in the eyes of Dubois supporters.
- The Joshua Factor: Because Dubois destroyed AJ, he’s now a massive draw in the UK. A rematch would be a stadium filler anywhere in the world.
- The Undisputed Question: While the belts get shuffled and vacated (like the IBF title), fans still want to see who the "real" king is.
Dubois has matured. You can see it in his eyes during interviews. He’s no longer the quiet kid who let Joe Joyce jab his eye shut. He’s aggressive. He’s vocal. He’s dangerous. That evolution makes Usyk vs Dubois 2 a much more compelling sporting contest than the first one ever was.
Financials and the Riyadh Connection
Let’s talk money. Heavyweight boxing runs on it. Turki Alalshikh has expressed interest in making the biggest fights possible. If the public clamors for it, the money will be there. Usyk is at the end of a legendary career. He wants the biggest purses possible before he sails off into the sunset. Dubois is just starting his peak earning years.
A rematch would likely command a site fee in the tens of millions. It's a "Legacy vs. Future" fight.
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The Reality of the "Quitter" Label
For a long time, Dubois carried a heavy burden. After the Joe Joyce fight, and even after the first Usyk loss, people said he didn't have the heart.
"He took a knee."
"He didn't want it."
Those were the whispers in the gyms. But his recent run has silenced nearly all of that. You don't walk through Filip Hrgovic's best shots if you're a quitter. You don't stand in the pocket with Anthony Joshua if you're looking for a way out. This version of Dubois is a different animal. He’s a man who has tasted failure and decided he hated the flavor.
Usyk knows this. He isn't stupid. He’s one of the most observant fighters in the history of the sport. He will know that the Dubois he faces in a rematch is 40% more dangerous than the one he fought in the rain in Poland.
How to Prepare for the Rematch News
If you're following the road to Usyk vs Dubois 2, you need to keep an eye on the mandatory rankings. Boxing politics are dense. The IBF, WBO, and WBC all have their own agendas. But generally, the "money fight" finds a way to bypass the red tape.
Keep an eye on the official announcements from Queensberry and K2 Promotions. Usually, these deals are hashed out in London or Riyadh months before we see a poster.
Actionable Insights for Boxing Fans
- Watch the tapes again: Don't just watch the highlights. Watch rounds 1 through 4 of the first fight. See how Dubois was actually doing quite well with his jab before the controversy happened.
- Track the IBF status: Since Dubois holds the IBF belt, his next moves are often dictated by their mandatory challengers.
- Check the scales: If a rematch is announced, look at Dubois’ weight. In his recent wins, he’s looked leaner and more explosive. If he comes in too heavy, he might lose the engine needed to chase Usyk.
- Analyze the footwork: In any Usyk fight, the winner is usually the one who wins the "lead foot battle." Watch how Usyk steps outside the opponent's lead foot to create angles.
The story of the heavyweight division is being written right now. Whether you think Dubois was cheated or Usyk is simply untouchable, a second fight is the only way to settle the score for good. It’s the fight the fans deserve, and frankly, it’s the fight the division needs to keep this momentum going.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the official rankings of the "Big Four" sanctioning bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) and follow the social media updates from Frank Warren and Alex Krassyuk. Their public sparring usually signals that a contract is being drafted behind closed doors. Check for updates on the "Riyadh Season" calendar, as that is currently the most likely venue for a clash of this magnitude.