Don Charles, the trainer of British heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, has launched a scathing attack on Alexander Usyk, accusing the Ukrainian boxer of simulating injury during their controversial 2023 bout.
Charles drew parallels between Usyk's behavior and football players diving for penalties: 'Have you ever watched football? When a player dives to earn a penalty, it's cheating that affects the match result. The same thing happened in Poland. We still believe that punch was clean.'
The British trainer also questioned Usyk's religious convictions, stating: 'I'm surprised by Usyk and his religious beliefs. You say you believe in God, so how can you lie? It's a sin. A major sin.'
The comments come as preparations intensify for their highly anticipated rematch scheduled for July 19, 2025, at London's iconic Wembley Stadium. According to Statbet, the upcoming clash is already generating significant betting interest with fluctuating odds reflecting the controversial nature of their first encounter.
Dubois suffered a ninth-round knockout defeat in their initial meeting in 2023. The fight featured a contentious moment in the fifth round when Dubois landed a punch that Usyk claimed was below the belt, resulting in a lengthy recovery period for the Ukrainian.
The debate about whether that punch was legitimate or a low blow continues to fuel tensions between both camps as they prepare for what promises to be an explosive rematch in London next year.
