When it comes to the elite levels of boxing, sparring sessions often reveal truths that the public never sees. I’ve shared the ring with the likes of champions and contenders, but one memory stands out with uncomfortable clarity: Oleksandr Usyk knocked me out cold in sparring.

It was quick, clinical, and humbling — the kind of moment that makes you reassess everything you thought you knew about the sweet science. And yet, despite my firsthand experience of Usyk’s brilliance, I firmly believe Daniel Dubois has what it takes to beat him. It’s not just a gut feeling; it’s based on two key factors that could redefine the heavyweight landscape.

Usyk’s Genius — And His Limits

Let’s start with the obvious: Oleksandr Usyk is a generational talent. His footwork is flawless, his timing immaculate, and his ability to control distance is, in my opinion, second to none. When he knocked me out, it wasn’t with brute force — it was with surgical precision. He read my movement, drew me in, and made me pay.

But no fighter is invincible. Usyk, at 37, is now reaching the stage where even the greatest start to decline physically. While his ring IQ remains sky-high, his reflexes are fractionally slower, and his gas tank — once seemingly endless — is beginning to show signs of wear.

Enter Daniel Dubois.

Key Reason #1: Youth, Power, and Relentless Pressure

Daniel Dubois is only 27 years old — 10 years younger than Usyk. That matters. In the heavyweight division, youth brings not only stamina but also recovery, explosiveness, and fearlessness. While Dubois has already suffered setbacks — most notably his TKO loss to Joe Joyce — he’s evolved. He now fights with greater patience, timing, and most importantly, conviction.

What Dubois brings that Usyk hasn’t truly faced in the heavyweight division is sustained, raw, youthful power combined with relentless forward motion. Against Anthony Joshua, Usyk outboxed and outmaneuvered a stronger opponent — but Joshua lacked the killer instinct and urgency to finish what he started.

Dubois won’t make that mistake. He throws punches with bad intentions. And he doesn’t hesitate when he smells blood. His jab is powerful enough to disrupt Usyk’s rhythm, and if he traps him on the ropes, that left hook to the body becomes a dangerous weapon. It’s hard to outbox Usyk — so the solution is to outfight him.

Key Reason #2: Usyk’s Struggles Against Bigger Punchers

Let’s be honest — Usyk’s rise through the heavyweight ranks hasn’t been without warning signs. Against Derek Chisora, he was troubled by volume and aggression. Against Joshua, he was caught several times — moments that would’ve been far more costly if delivered by someone with Dubois’ knockout power.

Usyk is a master of movement, but he’s not a natural heavyweight. He doesn’t carry the mass to absorb heavy artillery repeatedly. And he doesn’t have the one-punch KO power to keep bigger men honest. Against a younger, fresher, stronger opponent like Dubois — who is willing to eat a few shots to land one — Usyk may find himself on the back foot more than he’s comfortable with.

The biggest risk for Usyk is being caught in the middle rounds, when the legs begin to slow ever so slightly and the timing becomes just a hair off. Dubois can exploit that window. All he needs is one clean shot — and as someone who’s felt Usyk’s punches firsthand, I can say with certainty that he’s hittable if you know how to close the distance.

Final Thoughts

None of this is meant to diminish Usyk’s greatness. He’s a future Hall-of-Famer, a man who conquered the cruiserweight division and took on the best at heavyweight. But boxing isn’t just about legacy — it’s about timing. And the timing is starting to shift in Dubois’ favor.

I’ve sparred with Usyk. I know his brilliance. I’ve also watched Daniel Dubois mature into a dangerous, disciplined fighter with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. This isn’t the same kid who crumbled against Joyce. This is a man ready to shock the world.

If — or when — they meet in the ring, don’t be surprised if the unbeaten icon finally falls.

Because power, youth, and hunger have a funny way of rewriting history.