The opening press conference between unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (20-0) & Daniel Dubois (19-1) was held in Poland and will face off against each other on August 26th in Wroclaw.
Usyk will be defending his unified world titles for the second time against Dubois after several failed negotiations failed to materialise between himself and the WBC world heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury.
However, not deterred by the failure to secure terms for an undisputed world heavyweight showdown with Fury. Usyk signed with Saudi Arabian promotional entity Skills Challenge Entertainment in June before K2 Promotions, securing the contest between Usyk & Dubois with a winning purse bid of $ 8 million.
Usyk speaking at today’s press conference, Usyk spoke of his delight in returning to Poland, the scene of his first world title success back in 2016 in which he fought Krzysztof Głowacki. To claim the WBO world cruiserweight title. Furthermore, Usyk spoke of his gratitude towards Poland as a whole, who has played a vital part in accepting a large number of refugees following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“I am very happy to be back in Poland. Because my championship started from here, the first title - WBO - which I received in Gdansk. This was seven years ago. I was well received here; we had a good boxing with Krzysztof Głowacki. And over the course of 7 years, I picked up some belts, and we came back here again.
“I would like to thank the Polish people for the support they are currently providing to Ukraine. Throughout my career, I travelled to many cities to the box. But this place will be closest to home. And I think that many of my compatriots, and many people who will come to support boxing, will be happy with what will take place on August 26th. So see you on August 26th.
“I want to thank the guys who are defending the country. Thanks to them, we can perform abroad and give them some emotional happiness.”
Daniel Dubois took time during the press conference to dismiss any fears regarding the ACL injury he sustained in his previous outing against Kevin Lerena at New White Heart Lane, London. Despite claiming victory inside three rounds, Dubois was floored three times in the opening round of his WBA “regular” world heavyweight title defence against Lerena following the issue to ACL.
“With my knee, with my health, everything is in order. I run, I’m in a training camp, everything is going great. I am grateful for this opportunity and ready to grab it with both hands. It’s been a long road, and I’m ready to get where I’m going. Usyk was a great champion, but everything that has a beginning has an end. And I’m ready.”
