Frank Warren says underdog status suits Daniel Dubois down to the ground

Frank Warren believes Daniel Dubois will rise to the occasion and defy his outsider tagging to become undisputed heavyweight championship of the world against Oleksandr Usyk this summer.

The British star made a successful first defence of his IBF title with a statement stoppage win over two-time champion of the world Anthony Joshua last time out, and will now look to prize the WBA, WBC, WBO and Ring Magazine straps from the Ukrainian great.

Whilst two-weight undisputed champion Usyk will head into the hugely-anticipated July 19 rematch as the odds-on favourite, Dubois has proven in the past that he relishes his pre-fight underdog role.

Speaking to Queensberry's official website, Warren said: "He's not been a favourite going into his last four fights, so he's used to it.

"In fact, make that five fights because the bookmakers are making (Oleksandr) Usyk the favourite for this one too!

Daniel wasn't the favourite in Poland, those Riyadh Season fights with (Jarrell) Miller and (Filip) Hrgovic and certainly wasn't against Anthony Joshua where he went into the lion's den.

- Frank Warren (The Ring Magazine)

"But listen, I ain't worried about that and he's not worried about it either.

"He's in a good place of mind, believes in himself and his ability as we do - that's why we've made the fight. We wouldn't have made it if we didn't fully believe he would win it."

The showdown will represent the second time that Usyk and Dubois will have locked-horns, with the current unified champion having reigned supreme in a somewhat controversial first fight in 2023.

Whilst Usyk eventually found a way to halt the contest in the ninth round, the Briton had seemingly dropped his opponent with a thunderous body shot earlier on in the fight, only for the referee to deem it a low blow.

The Ukrainian subsequently recovered, put his foot on the gas and stopped Dubois with a barrage of heavy shots to retain his titles on a night that continues to haunt Queensberry promoter Warren.

"Listen, that's in the past and this is a different fight now between two different fighters from back then," he said.

"I've made my belief on the incident clear - I thought it was a legitimate shot which hurt Usyk, but the referee and others saw it differently.

"Who knows how that fight could have ended, but, in truth, all of that is irrelevant now and all we are focussing on is Wembley Stadium on July 19."

Mark Mothershaw

• Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois 2
• Daniel Dubois
• Oleksandr Usyk
• Queensberry
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