Oleksandr Usyk says Daniel DuBois showed “weakness” by letting him get away as he promoted a rematch to become the indisputable world heavyweight champion at Wembley Stadium in London on July 19.
Briton Dubois is the IBF champion, and Ukraine’s USYK holds the WBA (Super), WBO and WBC belts.
USYK is undefeated in 23 battles, beating 27-year-old DuBois in August 2023 through a nine-round stop.
The day after their fight was confirmed, the pair posed for a photo on Wembley’s pitch on Monday.
Security intervened between the pair before Usyk turned his back and began laughing.
When asked if DuBois had improved since his last fight two years ago, USYK told BBC Sports:
Asked if the British had changed mentally, Usaku replied: “Mentally, push is a weakness.”
Explaining why he pushed USYK, Dubois stated: “It’s the new me and I’m no longer afraid to act in any particular way.
There was controversy when they last fought when Usyk put up the floor in the fifth round, but the punch was declared a low blow by the referee.
Promoter Frank Warren lost his appeal to the WBA that Dubois lost to USYK, dominated the No Contest and ordered a rematch.
Dubois said Usak caused him “a lot of pain and frustration,” but that “helped me to get further.”
He added: “When it’s finished, when I knock him out and win, it’s going to make me feel even better.
