Former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker has offered his perspective on the upcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, warning that the British challenger should not be overlooked despite his defeat in their first encounter.
Parker, who continues to be a respected voice in heavyweight boxing, believes Dubois has transformed following his recent fights.
'You can never write off Dubois,' Parker stated in a recent interview. 'After his first fight with Usyk and his bouts with Miller and Joshua, he's evolved into a man with purpose. He enters the ring giving everything he has, backed by a solid team.'
The New Zealander described Usyk's technical prowess while analyzing the dynamics of their potential rematch: 'Usyk is a master who reads and breaks down his opponents, utilizing excellent feints, footwork, and combinations. He was dominating their first meeting until that low blow incident.'
According to Statbet analytics, Usyk's technical superiority was evident in the first fight, landing significantly more clean punches before the controversial moment that temporarily halted his momentum.
Parker cautions that while Usyk will likely enter the rematch with confidence based on his performance in their first encounter, he must remain vigilant against Dubois's power and improved determination.
The highly anticipated rematch is scheduled for July 19 at London's iconic Wembley Stadium, where both fighters will compete for heavyweight supremacy before a capacity crowd.
This contest carries additional significance as Anthony Joshua has already expressed interest in facing the winner, potentially setting up another major heavyweight showdown later this year.
