The pair are set to go head-to-head for a second time at Wembley Stadium in July and many within the sport are now giving their official predictions for the mouthwatering clash

Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will meet for a second time later this year(Image: Getty Images)

Martin Bakole has thrown his support behind Oleksandr Usyk, backing the Ukrainian to beat Daniel Dubois again in their upcoming rematch later this summer.

Last month, it was confirmed that the two heavyweight stars would square off for the second time at Wembley Stadium in London on July 29, with all four world titles up for grabs. Their first encounter took place in 2023 where the Ukrainian emerged victorious by stopping the Brit towards the end of the dust-up, despite Dubois having knocked Usyk down earlier.

However, much to the frustration of ‘Triple D,’ the shot was later deemed a low blow. With the rematch now set, Bakole – who claims to have beat both fighters in sparring – has tipped Usyk to emerge victorious. “Usyk, except me, beats everyone. Deontay Wilder I think is done,” he confidently stated.

“Usyk is a boxing man, boxing brain, boxing movement, I don’t think no one will stop him right now expect Martin Bakole. I know why I am saying that because I learn boxing from my brother, a southpaw, I know how to stop and cut off the ring. But Daniel Dubois doesn’t.

“I was expecting Usyk to get beat by ‘The Gypsy King’ but I was shocked he beat ‘The Gypsy King’ twice. Joshua is good, tough guy, but he doesn’t know how to cut the ring. Daniel Dubois will never change, he will just keep his style, but Usyk is [better] than him and will beat him.”

Speaking ahead of the rematch, Usyk said: “I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to once again fight for the undisputed championship. Thank you, Daniel, for taking care of my IBF belt – now I want it back.” Meanwhile, the British fighter Dubois declared: “This is the fight I wanted and demanded and now I get my chance for revenge against Oleksandr Usyk. I should have won the first fight and was denied by the judgement of the referee, so I will make no mistake this time around in front of my people at the national stadium in my home city.”

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info

Dubois added: “I am a superior and more dangerous fighter now and Usyk will find this out for himself on July 19. I would like to thank my promoter Frank for making this happen for me and I intend to repay him by becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”

Usyk comes into the showdown off of back-to-back victories over Tyson Fury, while Dubois’ last ring appearance saw him triumph over Anthony Joshua in September. ‘Triple D’ had been scheduled to face Joseph Parker earlier in the year but had to pull out after falling ill just a few days before the fight.

Tensions flared between Dubois and Usyk during a heated face-off in London last month, with ‘Triple D’ shoving his longtime adversary. The animosity escalated further when Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles, launched a scathing verbal attack on Usyk, accusing him of deceiving the boxing world during their 2023 bout in Poland.

“The actions you did that night, you’ve heard of the Oscars? You should’ve won an Oscar,” said Charles. “You conned the referee, you conned us and you conned the boxing world. You pride yourself as a God-fearing man – ‘Thou shalt not lie’ – so I question what kind of God do you worship? The God has summoned you for our son Daniel Dubois to get revenge on you.”