Tony Bellew claims Daniel Dubois lacks the will to fight

In a significant boxing match held at Wembley, Oleksandr Usyk faced British heavyweight Daniel Dubois and won emphatically. The fight occurred on July 22, 2025, marking Usyk's second victory over Dubois. In their previous meeting, which took place in 2023, Usyk had also defeated Dubois, showcasing his skill and dominance over British fighters. During the recent bout, Usyk dropped Dubois twice in the fifth round, ultimately stopping him with a powerful jab. This loss not only allowed Usyk to retain his unified heavyweight title but also established him as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. Tony Bellew, a former boxer, weighed in on Dubois's performance, stating that Dubois appeared hesitant and lacked the desire to continue fighting during crucial moments of the match. Bellew observed that when Dubois was knocked down, he seemed to question his motivation for fighting, contrasting it with his own experiences of resilience in the ring. Bellew's comments highlighted a psychological aspect of Dubois's performance, suggesting that he may not possess the fighting spirit necessary to succeed at higher levels of competition. Statistics from the match revealed Dubois's ineffectiveness with his jab, which is critical for establishing control in the ring. He landed only ten of the 163 jabs he threw against Usyk, a stark contrast to his subsequent performances against other opponents. This indicates that Dubois failed to use his jab effectively, allowing Usyk to exploit this weakness and dominate the fight. A lack of jab activity and accuracy hindered Dubois's ability to attack and counter Usyk's superior technique. His struggles in this match shed light on the adjustments he must make in potential future rematches to compete at an elite level. Furthermore, Bellew's commentary about the 'real Daniel' Dubois not wanting to fight points to deeper issues possibly affecting Dubois's career trajectory. His performance against Usyk, coupled with Bellew's critical observations, may lead to a serious reevaluation of Dubois's approach to boxing and his mental readiness for high-stakes matches. These elements should be considered as Dubois and his team prepare for future bouts, determining whether he can overcome the psychological barriers that seem to emerge during intense competition.