Oleksandr Usyk cemented his place in boxing history on Saturday night, delivering a stunning fifth-round knockout against Britain’s Daniel Dubois to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion. The highly anticipated showdown, held under the lights of London’s Wembley Stadium, saw the Ukrainian southpaw unify the heavyweight division by capturing the IBF title from Dubois and adding it to his existing WBA, WBC, and WBO belts.
The 38-year-old Usyk, known for his tactical brilliance and unshakeable composure in the ring, entered the bout with an unblemished record — and left with his legacy further elevated. Despite being 11 years Dubois’ senior, Usyk’s agility, timing, and ring intelligence proved too much for his younger opponent to handle. The fight began with both fighters feeling each other out, but by the fifth round, Usyk found the perfect opening.
Less than two minutes into the round, Usyk unleashed his trademark left hook, a punch that had already troubled some of the division’s biggest names. This time, it landed with devastating precision, dropping Dubois to the canvas. The British fighter attempted to rise but was counted out at 1 minute and 52 seconds, sealing Usyk’s victory and historic accomplishment.
As the crowd roared in celebration, Usyk dropped to his knees in the ring before rising to address the audience. Beaming with pride and defying concerns about his age, he declared, “38 is a young guy, remember!”
Usyk’s triumph not only solidifies his place among the sport’s greats but also marks the first time in over two decades that the heavyweight division has an undisputed champion. His journey from cruiserweight king to unified heavyweight ruler continues to captivate boxing fans across the globe, and Saturday’s emphatic win serves as another crowning achievement in an already illustrious career.
