Usyk KO's Dubois to become undisputed champion

LONDON -- Oleksandr Usyk ruthlessly knocked out Daniel Dubois in Round 5 to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion again Saturday.

The Ukrainian became the first men's boxer to become an undisputed champion for a third time, following previous reigns at cruiserweight (2018) and heavyweight (2024), after he floored Dubois twice in Round 5 in front of approximately 90,000 at Wembley Stadium.

Usyk won Dubois' IBF title, to add to his WBC, WBA and WBO belts, in a fifth title defence.

Usyk first sent Dubois to the canvas with a right to the head for a count before flattening Dubois with a left hook.

It was proof (if proof were needed) that Usyk is the best heavyweight of his generation, having previously beaten former champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury twice each.

After Usyk claimed earlier this year that Dubois would be his penultimate fight, the scramble now begins to face the 38-year-old in late 2025 before he retires.

However, Fury recently claimed he will make his ring return vs. Usyk in April next year, after losing to the Ukrainian on points in December 2024.

"Thirty-eight is a young guy, 38 is only the start," Usyk said in the ring after.

"Maybe Tyson Fury," Usyk said when asked who he will fight next.

"Maybe Derek Chisora, maybe Anthony Joshua, maybe Joseph Parker, I don't know."

Dubois, 27, from Greenwich in south London, lost the belt in a second title defence, having been promoted to full champion from interim status after Usyk gave up the IBF belt last year. The Londoner was unable to repeat the heroics of last September, when he sent Joshua to the canvas four times in a Round 5 KO win. In contrast to that coruscating win, Dubois was left counted out in a fight Usyk dictated from the start.

It was even better than the last time Usyk defeated Dubois, by Round 9 stoppage, in August 2023 and he is now expected to box again later this year, possibly against New Zealand's Joseph Parker.

Since being stopped in Round 9 by Usyk in August 2023, Dubois has been much improved, with stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua. But he was unable to establish any authority in front of his home fans.

Usyk was quickly into his rhythm and did most of the work in Round 1, piercing Dubois' guard with his southpaw jab.

Dubois, who is 11 years younger than Usyk and weighed in 26 pounds heavier than Usyk, put together a strong series of punches late in Round 1.

But Usyk produced some quality work in Round 2, as he slipped Dubois punches to repeatedly land solid left hands.

A big left hook momentarily shook Dubois in Round 3, as Usyk's smart movement denied Dubois any openings.

Usyk complained about a low blow in Round 4 before a strong finish to the round. In Round 5, Usyk landed a left-right combination as Dubois began to look more open and a glancing right to the head sent Dubois to his knees for the first count.

Moments after Dubois got up, Usyk finished it. After Dubois missed with a right hand, Usyk uncorked a sweeping left hook to return the Englishman to the canvas. Dubois was left flat on his back and was counted out.

It was a smart, savage and scintillating stoppage from imperious Usyk who is beyond reach it seems for any of the current heavyweights.