DANIEL DUBOIS says he will “unleash hell” on heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on August 26.
The two fighters met at the second press conference staged in London yesterday ahead of their bout in Wroclaw, Poland.
After the debacle of the Usyk-Fury negotiations the Ukrainian will finally gets his hands on British opposition this year. Having already beaten Tony Bellew (at cruiserweight), Dereck Chisora and Anthony Joshua on two occasions the champion is long odds-on 1/10 favourite to beat his fourth British challenger.
Having defeated Kevin Lerena, Trevor Bryan and Joe Cusumano in his last three fights Dubois must now jump several levels to overcome one of the greatest fighters of the 21st century.
With new trainer Don Charles sat next to him at the presser Dubois brought out a side of him few had seen before at yesterday’s event.
Queensberry Promotions ring announcer Dev Sahni dished out the questions and asked Dubois what his thoughts were with three of the four world titles placed just a few feet away from him.
“They’re coming with me,” he answered. “It’s my time, it’s definitely my time. Usyk’s been a great champion and as I’ve said before everything with a beginning has to have an end. His 0’s gotta go.”
Usyk’s magnificent skillset make him a problem for anyone let alone a young contender who is yet to defeat a top 10 heavyweight. Dubois does at least have age and power on his side.
“I just gotta out manoeuvre him in everything. I’m younger, I’m stronger and I just gotta release it all, unleash hell on this guy,” Dubois said.
“I was born for it. Everything that’s led to me getting here, getting this opportunity… I’m different. You guys are gonna see that. I’m different.”
Usyk, flanked by his promoter Alex Krassyuk and manager Egis Klimas, spoke little but kicked off with a Ukrainian poem which Krassyuk was unable to translate in full.
“It’s about the enemies who are gonna be destroyed and the victory,” he said.
The 36-year-old champion was asked what he thought of Dubois and if he rates the Brit.
“I think really highly of my opponent. He’s a nice man, a nice guy, a nice athlete. He came to the position of mandatory challenger, so he deserves it. All the respect for him, his team, for people around him but let’s stop talking much let’s see each other on August 26.”