By Kwame Bediako
Oleksandr Usyk emphatically secured his status among boxing’s all-time greats, stopping Britain’s Daniel Dubois with a spectacular knockout in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The Ukrainian, now 38, stood unscathed atop the heavyweight division, becoming the first three-time undisputed world champion in the four-belt era, a feat unmatched in modern boxing.
With 90,000 fans in attendance, Usyk weathered early aggression from Dubois, who held the center of the ring and sought to press his advantage with power punches and forward momentum. Usyk’s masterful southpaw jab and feints, however, quickly seized the tactical upper hand. By the closing moments of the first and second rounds, the Ukrainian’s precise combinations and defensive skill were dictating the pace, exploiting gaps in Dubois’ guard and landing clean shots as the Britain dropped his lead hand.
Dubois, who had previously registered a sensational knockout over Anthony Joshua at Wembley last year, found brief moments of success, connecting flush with a right hand in the third. Yet Usyk’s resilience was unwavering; countering viciously with his trademark left, he repeatedly broke through Dubois’ guard and sapped his challenger’s confidence as the middle rounds unfolded.
The decisive moment came early in the fifth round. Usyk, sensing Dubois’ growing vulnerability, surged forward with a sharp one-two combination that dropped Dubois to his knees. The Londoner managed to rise at the count of eight, but Usyk clinically closed the show, finding a home for a looping left hook that floored Dubois for a second and final time. Dubois, stunned and unable to beat the referee’s count, was left propped on one elbow as the crowd erupted in applause.
Following the fight, Usyk credited his longevity and hunger, telling the audience, “38 is a young guy, 38 is only the start, I want to rest. I want to go back home to my wife, my family.”
Dubois, gracious in defeat, promised to return: “I have to commend him, I gave everything I had, I’ll be back.” For Usyk, the victory not only reaffirmed his greatness but also etched his name further into boxing history as the outstanding heavyweight of his generation
