Oleksandr Usyk insists he’s not one of boxing’s all-time greats. But on Saturday night at Wembley Stadium, before a heaving crowd of nearly 90,000, the Ukrainian provided another devastating argument to the contrary.
With a thunderous fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois, Usyk reclaimed his status as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and silenced any doubts about his age, power, or legacy.
The 38-year-old, unbeaten in 24 fights, floored Dubois twice in the fifth round – the second a lunging left hook that sent the Briton crashing to the canvas. Dubois couldn’t beat the count. The referee waved it off, and Wembley erupted.
That punch, Usyk later revealed with a grin, has a name.
“It’s called ‘Ivan’,” Usyk said, drawing laughs at the post-fight press conference. “Ivan is like a big guy who lives in the village and works on the farm … it’s a hard, hard punch.”
Hard was an understatement. It was clinical, conclusive, and crushing – and it underscored Usyk’s credentials as not just a ring technician but a fearsome finisher when it counts.
The victory sees Usyk retain his WBA, WBC and WBO titles, while reclaiming the IBF crown he relinquished last year to focus on his rematch with Tyson Fury. He is now a two-time undisputed champion in the heavyweight division, a feat that places him in rarefied air.
“Ha, no,” Usyk responded with a smile when asked if he considered himself among the greatest of all time. “For me, UK is like a second home because this is where I take all my trophies. European champion in Liverpool, London 2012 [Olympics], Tony Bellew, Dereck Chisora, Anthony Joshua … and now Dubois. I am very grateful for this country.”
Saturday marked the second time in under two years Usyk had beaten Dubois. Their previous meeting, in Poland, ended in the ninth round and was mired in controversy over a low-blow claim. This time, there was no debate. Just domination.
Dubois, now 22-3, was coming off a career-defining win last September when he knocked out Joshua at Wembley. Hopes were high he could complete a stunning double and become the first Briton to hold all four major belts since Lennox Lewis.
But against Usyk’s speed, movement and unerring precision, he was outmatched.
“I have to commend him on his performance,” Dubois said to DAZN. “I gave everything I had. Probably a few things I could have sharpened up on, but take no credit away from the man. I’ll go back to the drawing board and come again.”
He added: “I want to thank everyone for coming out. I gave my best.”
Frank Warren, promoter for Queensberry, offered a gracious tribute to both fighters, but especially to the champion.
“We witnessed one of the true modern-day legends tonight in action,” Warren said. “Oleksandr Usyk, for me, is a heavyweight in any generation who would be an outstanding fighter. I take my hat off to him. He is something special.”
Despite being in his late thirties, Usyk has no plans to slow down. He named Tyson Fury, Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker as possible future opponents, and even acknowledged Jake Paul’s surprise callout.
“I will continue boxing and I will continue training, but now I cannot say who my next opponent will be,” he said. “I prepared three and a half months, I’ve not seen my family, my wife. Every day I live with my team – 14 guys in one house. Now I want to go back home.”
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Abu%20Dhabi%E2%80%99s%20Racecard
%3Cp%3E%0D5pm%3A%20Al%20Bithnah%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Khari%20%E2%80%93%20Hanidcap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Al%20Qor%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Al%20Badiyah%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Al%20Hayl%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
