Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed title fight has caught the eye of some of the division’s top heavyweights, including a current interim champion.
The much-anticipated Wembley fight is a rematch of their 2023 encounter when Usyk stopped Dubois in the ninth round with a solid jab to retain his titles.
Now the pair are set to face off once again, with boxers such as Harlem Eubank looking to the previous success of Derek Chisora for Dubois to emulate.
Others can’t see much else working against the Ukrainian as even Carl Froch bluntly said the British fighter isn’t ‘good enough’ to beat Usyk.
Heavyweight Joseph Parker believes a ‘rough and tough’ approach is needed for Dubois against Usyk
A keen observer of the contest is none other than the WBO interim champion Joseph Parker, who has told Daniel to stick it to the 38-year-old to be in with a chance.
In an interview this morning, he said: “Daniel is a good boxer as well, he does fight, he goes in and out, but he is not a Derek Chisora.
“But I think with Daniel, he is a confident fighter, but he does need to be a bit more assertive.
“You can’t outbox Usyk, he is a superior boxer, you have to go into a rough and tough and give it to him.”
It has been the theme of fight week predictions that the superior talents of the Olympic gold medallist are too much for ‘Dynamite’ to overcome.
When pushed for a final prediction, it was a simple one for Parker.
He said: “I think Usyk.”
The New Zealander has not faced either man in his 39-fight career, but it may not be long until he does.
Joseph Parker believes Oleksandr Usyk will avoid him and vacate the WBO belt for one reason
As the WBO interim titlist, the 33-year-old is in line for a shot at the winner of this fight, who will be the mandatory contender.
However, a shot at the belts may not even be on the cards due to other bouts being discussed for the winner.
In the TalkSport interview, he explained further what he thinks will happen.
“The WBO is next in line, but if Usyk wins, is he going to defend it against a mandatory, or is he going to vacate… I think he’ll vacate it,” he said.
“The money fights for Usyk are Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua because it makes the most money.”
As the top heavyweight contender, he was supposed to fight Dubois for his IBF title in February before the 28-year-old pulled out with illness.
Now he is waiting on the whims of a fighter who is too far away from retiring from the sport.
If Usyk does vacate, a plethora of options are on the table, including Filip Hrgovic or heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma.
But he now eagerly awaits the outcome of a clash which could see a great continue an incredible run of form or produce one of the biggest upsets on British soil.