Box fans in the calendar marked the 19th July: On that summer evening, heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk and IBF champion Daniel Dubois meet in the London Wembley Stadium to determine the undisputed champions of all classes. Germany’s Box-Idol Axel Schulz does not necessarily make the Mega-Fight off the stool.
“Usyk against Dubois is not necessarily the World Cup that I hoped for,” said Schulz in an interview with RTL/NTV and sport.de. It sees “other” heavyweights who, as opponents of WBA/WBO/WBO world champion Usyk, “might have been more of it” than IBF title carrier Dubois.
With Joseph Parker (WBO) and the Bochum Agit Kabayel (WBC) there are two “interim” world champions who are entitled to a World Cup chance against USYK, the triple champion.
In the summer of 2023, Usyk had defeated nine in the summer of 2023 by Ko and a year later with a victory over Tyson Fury, crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion of all major associations since 1999.
The Ukrainian subsequently resigned the IBF title in order to make a contractually agreed revenge against Fury (which he won at the end of 2024), instead of fighting against IBF compulsory challengers Dubois.
After his victory against the Croatian Filip Hrgovic, the IBF then declared the Englishman to be world champion in June 2024. Dubois defended the title last autumn in front of 98,000 spectators in Wembley by a spectacular Ko against superstar Anthony Joshua.
Usyk “totally surprised” Schulz
Schulz makes no secret of whom he sees in the favorite role at USYK against Dubois II. “Usyk really surprised me when he (2019, note of the cruiser weight made the change from the cruiser weight,” said the 56-year-old: “He is really invaluable.”
The Ungerzyk Boxe, which was undefeated in 23 professional fights, “with a very clean technology,” enthused Schulz. With its 1.90 meters and around 100 kilograms, the 38-year-old may not have the size and weight where you think that you need. But he is just a great boxer. “
Oleksandr Usyk has achieved everything in his boxing career. As an amateur, he became world and European champions, won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in London in 2012. After moving to the professionals, Usyk in 2018 in the cruiser weight (up to 90.72 kilograms) combined all significant World Cup belts. Six years later, the legal interpreter repeated this heavyweight feat – as the second boxer next to the legendary Evander Holyfield.