Summary

  • Daniel Dubois met Oleksandr Usyk at news conference at Wembley Stadium

  • Rival heavyweight champions fight at same venue on Saturday in undisputed fight

  • Ukraine's Usyk, 38, dismisses suggestions he is too old to extend unbeaten 23-0 record

  • Briton Dubois (22-2) says he will "become the man" and avenge 2023 defeat

  1. Eubank v Benn rematch off?published at 13:32 British Summer Time 17 July

    In other major boxing news, Matchroom's Eddie Hearn doesn't think the rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn will be going ahead on 20 September.

    Hearn told IFL TV: "We've said to Eubank that is the date. And if you don't take the fight on that date, the fight doesn't work.

    "There are no stadiums available. Commercially you guys are on a fortune. So if Eubank is not prepared to take the fight on September 20, I don't think there will be a fight. That's not my decision, that's a decision of [Alalshikh].

    "Eubank probably can't be bothered to go back into camp. I'm not sure if he'll ever fight again.

    "I just got the feeling he just don't want it."

    Read the full story here.

  2. Postpublished at 13:28 British Summer Time 17 July

    Bobbie Jackson
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    The lights are back on and the work appears to have been completed. It took two people in the end, although one wasn't wearing Hi Vis so I'm not sure if he was officially part of the team.

    But I can see Queensberry's Frank Warren side of stage now so it feels like we are getting closer.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 17 July

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Usyk will win by stoppage, rd 8

    Anon

  4. Postpublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    That's not Oleksandr Usyk or Daniel Dubois!

    We are now an impressive 25 minutes late.

    Fair play.

  5. Postpublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 17 July

    Bobbie Jackson
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    A man working on a stage

    I retract my last statement.

    The fault doesn't lie with the late arriving media but seemingly with a aesthetics issue.

    The DIY team are in and making some changes to the interior around the podium. A bit of fabric and a staple gun seem to be doing the trick.

  6. Postpublished at 13:24 British Summer Time 17 July

    We have an update from our man in the know, Bobbie, on what is currently happening...

  7. No stone unturned by Usyk in pursuit of greatnesspublished at 13:21 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    Bobbie Jackson
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of greatness.

    The route to the pinnacle of pugilism is treacherous and littered with obstacles.

    Many have tried and failed to reach the mountain top but Usyk, 38, has climbed to the peak, set up camp and isn't willing to vacate his spot any time soon.

    Usyk's latest challenge comes in the shape of IBF title-holder Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

    For some, training camps focus on strength and conditioning. Others believe nutrition is key, while Team Usyk make the physiological and psychological side of the game a top priority.

  8. Postpublished at 13:18 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    That Ring Magazine belt is a beauty, isn't it?

  9. How many belts?published at 13:14 British Summer Time 17 July

    Bobbie Jackson
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Oleksandr Usyk's heavyweight world title belts on a table

    Still no sign of the fighters but Oleksandr Usyk's belts - and there are a lot of them - have just arrived and been very carefully placed on the table.

    It's often down to the fighters being late that we are delayed but members of the media are still filtering in so I think it could be on us this time.

    Those on the way in now are just discovering there are no seats left.

    Not to brag but I was here early and am comfortably sat front and centre.

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - predictionspublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 17 July

    #bbcboxing, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    While we're waiting for this news conference to get going, why don't you give me your prediction for Saturday night?

    Do you fancy Daniel Dubois or Oleksandr Usyk to come away with the gold?

    Get involved using the contact details above!

  11. Postpublished at 13:10 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    Still no sign of Oleksandr Usyk or Daniel Dubois at Wembley just yet but I promise we won't be far away!

  12. Dubois shouts in Usyk's facepublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    In terms of fight weeks, this one has been largely respectful and tame but we did we see Daniel Dubois shout in the face of Oleksandr Usyk.

    Why? Who knows but the Ukrainian did not flinch.

    Oleksandr Usyk face-to-face with Daniel DuboisImage source, Getty Images
  13. Is Dubois 'unstoppable'?published at 13:04 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    Have we ever seen Daniel Dubois this confident?

    The Briton is adamant not even Oleksandr Usyk can topple him these days.

  14. Postpublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 17 July

    Bobbie Jackson
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    A table and big screen at Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois news conference

    We're scheduled for a 13:00 BST start but plenty of the media are still find their seats and there's a fair bit of running around backstage.

    One thing to note is a key name missing on the Oleksandr Usyk side of the table to the left.

    Usyk and promoter Alex Krassyuk parted company after 12 years working together just four weeks ago.

  15. Postpublished at 13:02 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    As usual we've these things, we are running behind.

    Very sorry about that but I'm sure the fighters will be out on stage at Wembley soon enough!

  16. Dubois to follow in Lewis' footsteps?published at 12:59 British Summer Time 17 July

    Can Daniel Dubois succeed where Tyson Fury failed?

    Fury had a shot at attempting to become undisputed heavyweight champion but came up short against Oleksandr Usyk.

    So now, step forward Dubois - who looks to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Lennox Lewis.

    Lewis, of course, became undisputed in the three-belt era, when he added the WBA and IBF belts to his WBC title by overcoming Evander Holyfield in a rematch.

    The world was gearing up for the new Millennium and I had just turned three.

    So much has changed in nearly 26 years but one thing remains - only one can be undisputed.

    Lennox Lewis fighting Evander HolyfieldImage source, Getty Images
  17. Huge Ukrainian supportpublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 17 July

    Bobbie Jackson
    BBC Sport

    Today's news conference is for media only but yesterday's open workout just a stone's throw away from here at BoxPark Wembley was open to the public.

    Around 400-500 people packed in to watch the undercard and main eventers spend three or four minutes in the ring.

    Most kept it traditional with a bit of shadow boxing but Ukraine's Daniel Lapin, who faces Southampton's Lewis Edmondson, brought out a group of kids from the BoxWise Foundation and did his best Joe Wicks impression - putting them through a HIIT workout.

    There was a lot of Ukrainian support in the building too with flags draped over the balcony chants of "Usyk, Usyk, Usyk" much louder than the earlier shouts in support of Daniel Dubois.

  18. Dubois has been here beforepublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    21 September 2023 is the day Daniel Dubois put the heavyweight division on notice.

    His brutal stoppage victory over Anthony Joshua was one that stunned the world of boxing.

    Oh and guess what? That was at Wembley Stadium too.

    Watch the replay Dubois' win over Joshua on BBC iPlayer.

    Anthony Joshua on the canvas with Daniel Dubois standing over himImage source, Getty Images
    Daniel Dubois with his hand raised while standing next to Anthony JoshuaImage source, Getty Images
  19. Wembley nightspublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 17 July

    Have you ever boxed in front of 80,000 at Wembley? Well, Carl Froch certainly has!

    Wembley has seen some magical fight nights over the years and Froch's win over George Groves in 2014 started it all off.

    Carl Froch standing in the ring with George Groves on the canvas at WembleyImage source, Getty Images

    A Wembley fight that lives long in the memory is Anthony Joshua's dramatic win over heavyweight legend Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.

    What a fight that was!

    Anthony Joshua with his hands in the airImage source, Getty Images
  20. 'Usyk knows he’s got to take the fight out of Dubois'published at 12:51 British Summer Time 17 July

    Usyk v Dubois 2

    Queensberry's Frank Warren has predicted Oleksandr Usyk will attempt to take the fight out of Daniel Dubois on Saturday.

    "It’s going to be ding, ding and then they’re going to get on it. These two guys want it, and Usyk knows he’s got to take the fight out of him. To do that, he’s got to take it out of him. You don’t want him hitting you with the jab, you have to take the fight out of him."

    Did Usyk "take the fight out" of Dubois in the first encounter?

    Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk punches thrown comparison