Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois 2 officially announced with date and venue confirmed

Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will collide in a huge undisputed heavyweight title affair at Wembley Stadium later this year.

The showdown, locked-in for Saturday 19th July, will come almost two years on from their first fight in Poland - a clash which Usyk prevailed in, but was heaped in controversy in the immediate aftermath.

The Ukrainian star secured a stunning ninth round stoppage success over the British title challenger, but the fight was tainted by the official's decision to deem a Dubois body shot, which dropped Usyk to his knees, an illegal low-blow.

It was a decision that split the boxing world, and one that left the Briton with an incredibly sour taste in his mouth.

But, following a failed post-fight appeal against the decision, he now has his chance at redemption on the grandest stage of them all, with all the heavyweight marbles up for grabs in what promises to be a pulsating clash in London.

Speaking after details of the fight were confirmed, 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.

The 38-year-old, of course, fully unified titles at heavyweight with a stunning triumph over Tyson Fury, having also done so at cruiserweight before making the step up.

He backed that up with a second success against the Gypsy King last December, prompting Fury to announce his latest retirement from the sport.

Dubois' decision not to undertake a mandatory title defence following his victory in the first fight culminated in him relinquishing the IBF strap, a belt which is now, of course, in possession of the Queensberry man.

He picked up the 'interim' title a couple of weeks after Usyk's fist win over Fury, stopping the previously unbeaten Filip Hrgovic, before being upgraded to full IBF champion of the world following the Ukrainian's decision to vacate.

Dubois then made a successful first defence by inflicting a devastating knockout on Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium last September, and now has the chance to establish himself as the true blue-riband division ruler this summer.

Usyk v Dubois 2 was originally pencilled in to take place on Saturday 12th July - a week earlier than the confirmed date of the 19th - however, that was changed to avoid a collision with the Ring Magazine card in New York City which will feature Edgar Berlanga v Hamzah Sheeraz and Shaur Stevenson v William Zepeda.

The fight will represent the first time that the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world has been fought for on British soil, with attendance and viewing figure records in the UK and Europe expected to be shattered on what will be a monumental night for the sport.

Mark Mothershaw

• Oleksandr Usyk
• Queensberry
• Riyadh Season
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