"This is definitely the biggest fight of my life," Dubois told The Guardian about the upcoming WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, and IBF heavyweight unification bout scheduled for 27/7 at Wembley Stadium in London.

After a pause, the British boxer expressed his surprise at the lack of media and fan attention surrounding the fight. "It’s strange, but it seems to be going under the radar, not getting the publicity I thought a unification fight would get. But maybe it will all kick off on fight night," he added.

Daniel Dubois at the Farm gym in Borehamwood. Photo: The Guardian

Daniel Dubois at the Farm gym in Borehamwood. Photo: The Guardian

Sitting outside his Borehamwood gym under the July sun, with Wembley’s arch visible in the heat haze, Dubois seemed slightly disheartened by the lack of hype. Dubois currently holds the IBF title, while Usyk holds the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts.

"I’m not sure," Dubois said with a wry smile. "It seems like every fight of mine, there seems to be something a bit weird going on. I can’t put my finger on it."

Dubois is a quiet heavyweight champion, still living with his strict and enigmatic father. At 27, he’s a force to be reckoned with in the ring, as demonstrated by his four knockdowns of fellow Brit Anthony Joshua in their IBF title fight in September 2024.

Joshua leans on the ropes after being knocked down by Dubois during their heavyweight fight at Wembley Stadium, London on 21/9/2024. Photo: PA

Joshua leans on the ropes after being knocked down by Dubois during their heavyweight fight at Wembley Stadium, London on 21/9/2024. Photo: PA

However, Dubois often comes across as a shy young man, seemingly still under the shadow of his overbearing father, Stan. Is Dubois too quiet to generate the sensational headlines and soundbites that often fuel big-time boxing matches?

"I don’t know," he said, before comparing himself to Joshua, a perfect promotional machine throughout his career. "Joshua didn’t trash talk. Every fight of his sold out and it was all hype. But with my fights, there always seems to be something…".

The 27-year-old trailed off before continuing with a more defiant statement about the lack of attention. "But, after this fight, I want to establish myself as a real world champion. The absolute world champion."

Dubois believes his resounding victory over Joshua was underappreciated by the media. He felt people focused more on Joshua’s loss than his win. "It doesn’t hurt me but it’s not fair, is it? I have to change that," Dubois stated.

Daniel Dubois (right) shouts as he faces off against Oleksandr Usyk outside Wembley Stadium, London, England on 15/7/2025. Photo: Fox

Daniel Dubois (right) shouts as he faces off against Oleksandr Usyk outside Wembley Stadium, London, England on 15/7/2025. Photo: Fox

On a more hopeful note, Dubois said, "It looks like it’s going to sell out, which is good." He emphasized his improved form going into the Usyk fight. "I’m a different fighter now. There have been real improvements. I’m doing everything better, maybe wanting it more. I’m fulfilling what my dad said at the beginning, even before I became a proper fighter. He always said I was going to win the world heavyweight title, then I’d win them all and be a legend like Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis and Nigel Benn."

Usyk is currently the number one heavyweight boxer. In May 2024, the 38-year-old defeated Tyson Fury by decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era – WBA, IBF, WBC, and WBO. Usyk was later stripped of the IBF title, defending only the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts against Fury. In their rematch in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2024, the Ukrainian boxer again won by decision, retaining his three titles.

Dubois acknowledged Usyk's prowess, admitting he is arguably the best boxer he has faced. "Usyk has done it all, hasn’t he? I’ve just got to break down whatever he’s good at," the British boxer said.

Dubois performed respectably in his first encounter with Usyk in August 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland. In the fifth round, he landed a heavy right hook to Usyk's belt line, sending him to the canvas. However, referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow. Usyk was given five minutes to recover before the fight resumed. The Ukrainian boxer wisely used this time to regain his composure, eventually winning by knockout in the ninth round.

"I don’t want to talk about that fight, because I wasn’t at my best," Dubois admitted. "I landed a good shot but it wasn’t my best shot. You’ll see the difference on 27/7. That first fight is behind me. It’s just a memory and I’m a man of the future. I have to assert my authority in this division."

Daniel Dubois during an open workout at BoxPark Wembley, London on 16/7/2025. Photo: Reuters

Daniel Dubois during an open workout at BoxPark Wembley, London on 16/7/2025. Photo: Reuters

Dubois's father always told him he would become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. "I believe everything he says – the words, the way he says it. He’s so sure about it that I believed and thought: 'Yeah, I’m going to do this'," Dubois affirmed. "It’s not just talk. We’ve worked so hard since I was 7 years old. I’ve worn my knuckles down to the bone for it."

Dubois held up his fists, displaying the deep scars on his knuckles. "These are from all the knuckle push-ups," he explained. "I can take pride in these marks. They’ve got me out of trouble a few times."

Dubois revealed his father made him do push-ups for hours as a child. "We never counted the push-ups. We counted the hours. Maybe 4, 5 hours? We did some crazy stuff," he laughed. "Now we mix it up because it’s all about maintaining what you’ve got. So, I still do the push-ups but not to that extent. I’m reaping the benefits now."

Hong Duy (according to The Guardian)