Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has delivered a blunt assessment of Daniel Dubois' chances against Oleksandr Usyk, insisting the British heavyweight lacks the tools to dethrone the Ukrainian superstar.
Bellew, who faced Usyk in 2018, told The Independent that Dubois' much-discussed power won't be enough to overcome the unified champion's technical mastery. "People talk about Dubois' punching power," Bellew said, "but Usyk has an incredible chin and the footwork to avoid those big shots."
Usyk's Technical Superiority
The Liverpudlian fighter, who retired after his knockout loss to Usyk, highlighted the champion's unique abilities: "His movement, his angles, his punch selection - it's all on another level. Dubois hasn't faced anyone with that skillset."
Bellew's comments come as Dubois prepares for his August 26th challenge for Usyk's WBA, IBF and WBO titles in Wroclaw, Poland.
The Power vs Skill Debate
While acknowledging Dubois' physical advantages, Bellew questioned whether the 25-year-old has developed enough to trouble boxing's pound-for-pound elite: "Power is great until you can't land clean. Usyk makes world-class fighters look ordinary - that's the reality."
The former champion did offer Dubois one path to victory: "If he can cut off the ring and make it ugly, there's a chance. But trying to outbox Usyk? That's a recipe for disaster."
