Oleksandr Usyk has beaten five Brits in the last six years, including winning the unified heavyweight titles from Anthony Joshua and defending them against Daniel Dubois.
It gives the Ukrainian a unique insight into the all-English clash set for September 21 at Wembley Stadium.
He beat Joshua twice, both times over the distance, and then followed up with a stoppage against Dubois. Since then, he has won the fourth and final heavyweight belt from Tyson Fury, becoming the division’s first undisputed champion in two and a half decades.
In an interview with Boxing News not long after his fight with the younger Brit, Usyk said he thought ‘AJ’ would always be a level above.
“I treat Daniel Dubois with respect. I wish him good luck, and let him become the champion some day – that he trains well … There is no way to compare [Dubois and Joshua], because they are completely different fighters. Different skills; different styles. Totally different boxers. To be fair, I don’t think [Dubois can reach Joshua’s level]. I am sorry for saying this, but this is the truth and I’m telling it.”
His words ‘let him become the champion’ ring truer than anyone thought they might considering Usyk recently vacated the IBF belt – ‘gifted’ in his words – and allowed Dubois to be elevated to full champion.
It means his first defence will be against Joshua in front of 90,000+ fans at the national arena – an extreme test of the heart that many pundits once questioned.
With Usyk set to rematch Fury in Saudi Arabia later this year, it’s thought that the winner of Dubois-Joshua may be set up to face the winner there.