Oleksandr Usyk: KO of Dubois and a Place Among Boxing’s Greats

Oleksandr Usyk’s emphatic victory over Daniel Dubois not only reinforced his dominance as the undisputed heavyweight champion; it further cemented his status as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

ALSO READ: Boxing Pound-For-Pound Rankings – February 2025.

Dominant Win Over Dubois

In their first meeting in August 2023 in Wrocław, Poland, Oleksandr Usyk overcame early adversity against a dangerous Daniel Dubois. A controversial shot in Round 5, initially appearing to drop Usyk, was ruled a low blow, sparking fierce debate and giving the champion crucial recovery time. Usyk recovered calmly, dropped Dubois in Round 8, and closed the show with a knockout in Round 9 to retain his WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles.

Fast forward to this past weekend, and the rematch told a more emphatic story. With no controversy this time, Usyk delivered a masterclass in pressure, timing, and precision. He dominated the early rounds, controlled distance, and punished Dubois with clean combinations before landing a vicious left hook in Round 5. Dubois was floored heavily, and his corner threw in the towel, handing Usyk a decisive TKO victory. It was a clinical, legacy-defining performance that reasserted his status as the undisputed heavyweight king.

Dubois, to his credit, had earned the rematch with strong rebound wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and a shock stoppage of Anthony Joshua. But against Usyk’s elite ring IQ and movement, he was simply outclassed.

From Olympic Glory to Heavyweight Champion

Usyk’s legacy began long before his professional career. As an amateur, he compiled a 335–15 record and claimed gold at the 2011 World Championships and 2012 London Olympics in the heavyweight division. His seamless transition to pro boxing solidified his status:

• First undisputed cruiserweight champion (2018), unifying the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO belts via the World Boxing Super Series.
  
• Back-to-back undisputed heavyweight champion: first crowned after defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024, and again following the Dubois KO in July 2025.

This makes Usyk the first male boxer to achieve undisputed status in two weight classes in boxing’s four-belt era.

Place Among the Greatest

Usyk currently sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings, leading lists from The Ring and ESPN, and is widely viewed as one of the top heavyweights of all time. His 24-0 professional record (15 KOs), combined with historic multi-division unifications and Olympic gold, firmly place him in elite company alongside the likes of Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, and Muhammad Ali.