Usyk is undefeated in 27 professional fights and became the first undisputed champion in the four-belt era when he beat Tyson Fury in May 2024 Former world champion Barry McGuigan says he would not be "at all surprised" if big-hitting Daniel Dubois beats Oleksandr Usyk in this summer's undisputed heavyweight title fight. Briton Dubois, the IBF belt holder, and WBA, WBO and WBC champion Usykwill meetfor the second time on 19 July at Wembley Stadium after Usyk'sninth-round stoppage victoryin August 2023. And while McGuigan - whose son Shane formerly trained Dubois - is still backing the undefeated Ukrainian to win, he expects the 27-year-old Londoner to provide a much sterner test than he did in their first bout in Poland. "Dubois can knock the house down, he hits so hard," former featherweight champion McGuigan told BBC Sport NI's Thomas Niblock. "Shane, my son, got him across the line. We went out to Miami, he knocked out Trevor Bryan Jr to win the WBA regular title [in 2022]. "He is a big, strong, powerful heavyweight. A modern-day heavyweight, 18-and-a-half stone, 6ft 4in, built like the proverbial out-house. A massive guy and could knock the wall down with a right hand or a left hook." McGuigan, who has helped mentor Dubois' sister Caroline Dubois, acknowledged the "significant" power difference between former cruiserweight Usyk and the British fighter, who weighed in at almost 18 stone for his stunning knockout victory over Anthony Joshua last September. However, the 64-year-old Irishman feels 38-year-old Usyk is "too clever" to allow Dubois a clean shot. "When the big guys hit you, you stay hit. I think Usyk, with the experience he's had, has got better," said McGuigan. "It's a more difficult fight because Usyk has got older and Dubois is still very young. For me, they've gotten closer so the fight will be closer. If Usyk gets hit clean by Dubois, the fight is over, but he'll not get hit like that, he's too clever. "Dubois will want to work on his body, put him under pressure. That whole friction is going to be very exciting." McGuigan added: "I think Usyk will win this time, I'm not sure if he'll stop him, but it could be a wide points decision." McGuigan expects Usyk to beat Dubois on points McGuigan was speaking in an interview to mark the 40th anniversary of his famous world-title triumph over mighty Panamanian fighter Eusebio Pedroza. When the Irishman prevailed at Loftus Road on 8 June 1985, it was watched by a UK television audience of 19 million people. Now the sport is dominated by pay-per-view bouts, with increasing influence from figures such as Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's general entertainment authority, funded by Saudi's Public Investment Fund, which isreported to have spent more than £5bnon sport. "He wants to make it [Saudi Arabia] the centre of big sporting events and fair dues to him, the fighters are getting paid much better as a result of that, the coming together of Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, so that's a good thing for the game," observed McGuigan. "It's good that there's more money involved for the fighters, it's a dangerous and serious business so it's good that they're making better money than they did in the past. "What it does is it takes down the barrier of these guys wanting to fight each other. If he pays him enough they'll say 'yes, I'm in' so we get WBA champions fighting WBC champions and IBF champions fighting WBO champions."
Dubois beating Usyk would be no surprise - McGuigan
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"McGuigan Predicts Competitive Rematch Between Dubois and Usyk"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Barry McGuigan, a former world champion, has expressed that he would not be surprised if Daniel Dubois defeats Oleksandr Usyk in their upcoming heavyweight title rematch scheduled for July 19 at Wembley Stadium. Usyk, who is currently undefeated in 27 professional fights and recently became the first undisputed champion in the four-belt era after defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024, previously won against Dubois by a ninth-round stoppage in August 2023. McGuigan, whose son Shane has trained Dubois, acknowledges the significant power Dubois possesses as a heavyweight, stating that the 27-year-old Londoner can deliver devastating blows that could change the outcome of the fight. He describes Dubois as a modern heavyweight who is strong, built solidly, and capable of knocking out opponents with either hand.
Despite this, McGuigan continues to back Usyk for the victory, citing the Ukrainian's experience and tactical intelligence as crucial advantages. He believes that although Dubois is a younger and powerful opponent, Usyk's ability to avoid clean shots will play a vital role in the fight. McGuigan notes that while Dubois aims to apply pressure and target Usyk's body, Usyk's cleverness in the ring will likely prevent him from being hit cleanly. McGuigan predicts a more competitive match compared to their first encounter, suggesting that Usyk might win by a wide points decision rather than by knockout. He also commented on the evolving landscape of boxing, highlighting the financial benefits fighters are now receiving, particularly due to the influence of figures like Turki Alalshikh and the growing prominence of Saudi Arabia as a hub for major sporting events, which could facilitate more matchups between champions across different organizations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the anticipation surrounding the upcoming heavyweight boxing rematch between Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk, focusing on commentary from former champion Barry McGuigan. McGuigan's insights provide a glimpse into the dynamics of the fight, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of both fighters. This analysis will break down the implications of the commentary, the potential influence on public perception, and the broader context of the boxing world.
Purpose of the Article
This article aims to generate excitement and speculation about the upcoming fight, positioning Dubois as a credible challenger despite Usyk's undefeated record. By quoting McGuigan, the article seeks to balance the narrative, acknowledging Usyk's skill while also highlighting Dubois's power and potential for an upset. This duality serves to engage boxing fans and generate discussion in the lead-up to the match.
Public Perception
By suggesting that Dubois could potentially defeat Usyk, the article is likely aiming to stir interest among boxing fans, creating a buzz that could lead to increased viewership for the fight. McGuigan's remarks introduce a sense of unpredictability, which is appealing in sports narratives. The analysis implies that boxing is not solely about records but also about the matchup dynamics, which could resonate with audiences looking for competitive storylines.
What Might Be Hidden
While the article presents a straightforward analysis of the fight, it may downplay the significant experience advantage Usyk has over Dubois. Focusing too heavily on Dubois's power could lead some fans to underestimate Usyk's tactical proficiency. This framing could be seen as an attempt to manipulate fan expectations, emphasizing the possibility of an upset while glossing over Usyk's proven track record.
Reliability of Information
The article primarily reflects McGuigan's opinions, which, while informed, are subjective. This reliance on commentary rather than statistical analysis or previous fight data could impact the overall reliability of the information presented. The opinions of trainers and former champions are valuable, but they are not definitive predictors of outcomes. Thus, while the article provides insights, it should be viewed with a degree of skepticism regarding its predictive accuracy.
Potential Societal Impact
The excitement generated by the fight could influence not just boxing fans but also the broader sports community, potentially impacting ticket sales, pay-per-view purchases, and even local economies surrounding the event. As the fight date approaches, media coverage may ramp up, further driving public interest and engagement.
Community Engagement
This article likely appeals to boxing enthusiasts, particularly those who enjoy narratives of underdogs and strategic matchups. It engages communities that appreciate the sport's intricacies, including both casual fans and die-hard supporters.
Market Influence
News surrounding major boxing events can have ripple effects in the sports market, influencing related businesses such as merchandise sales, promotions, and even betting markets. As the fight garners attention, companies associated with boxing may experience fluctuations in stock prices or sales, especially those directly linked to the fighters.
Global Power Dynamics
While the article primarily focuses on a sporting event, the context of boxing can reflect broader cultural and national narratives. Usyk, a Ukrainian champion, represents a country facing significant geopolitical challenges, and his fights can symbolize resilience and national pride.
Potential Use of AI in Writing
There is no clear indication that AI was employed in crafting this article, as it maintains a traditional journalistic tone. However, if AI were involved, it could have influenced the structure or choice of language to create engaging narratives. The language used does not show overt bias and appears to present a balanced viewpoint, although the emphasis on Dubois's potential could suggest an attempt to engage audiences through excitement.
In conclusion, while the article provides an interesting perspective on the upcoming fight, it should be considered in light of the subjective nature of opinion-based commentary. The excitement it generates could lead to varied impacts on public perception, economic activity surrounding the event, and the boxing community at large.