At 1:45 AM +07 on Saturday, July 26, 2025, the boxing world has been thrown into chaos following a jaw-dropping revelation from Daniel Dubois, the British heavyweight contender. In an exclusive interview aired on a late-night sports talk show, Dubois stunned fans by claiming, âI was forced to lose to Usyk,â referring to his fifth-round knockout defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on July 19, 2025, at Wembley Stadium. The 27-year-oldâs bombshell allegation has ignited a firestorm of speculation, accusing external pressures of manipulating the outcome of the undisputed heavyweight title rematch, casting a shadow over Usykâs victory and the integrity of the sport.

The Fight That Sparked the Controversy
The Usyk vs. Dubois rematch drew a record-breaking crowd of 90,000, with Usyk reclaiming the undisputed heavyweight titles (WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF) in a dominant performance. The 38-year-old Ukrainian floored Dubois twice in the fifth round with a precise right hook and a devastating left, dubbed âIvan,â securing a knockout that solidified his status as a three-time undisputed champion. Dubois, who had stunned the world with a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua in September 2024 to win the IBF title, entered the fight with renewed confidence but couldnât withstand Usykâs tactical brilliance. Post-fight, Dubois had conceded defeat gracefully, stating, âI gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, Iâll be back,â leaving little hint of the explosive claim to come.

The bout was free of the 2023 low-blow controversy that marred their first encounter, where a disputed call allowed Usyk to recover and stop Dubois in the ninth round. This time, Usykâs mastery was uncontestedâor so it seemedâuntil Duboisâ latest statement turned the narrative upside down.
Duboisâ Explosive Claim
In the interview, conducted at 1:30 AM +07, Dubois alleged that he was pressured to throw the fight, stating, âI was forced to lose to Usyk. It wasnât my choice. There were people behind the scenes telling me what to do.â He refused to name specific individuals or entities, citing fear of retaliation, but hinted at âpowerful forcesâ within the boxing world. Dubois suggested that the decision was influenced by financial stakes and political pressures, possibly tied to Usykâs status as a Ukrainian hero amid the ongoing war, which has garnered him widespread global support.

The timing of the revelationâexactly one week after the fightâcoincides with reports of an âinternal inquestâ by Duboisâ team, prompted by a video showing a pre-fight gathering at his home. While his trainer, Don Charles, downplayed it as a âcultural ritual,â the incident has fueled speculation about distractions or coercion. Duboisâ claim challenges the narrative of a fair fight, raising questions about whether his performance was deliberately subdued.
Reactions and Speculation
The boxing community is divided, with #DuboisForced and #UsykScandal trending on X within minutes of the interview. Fans and analysts are split: some support Dubois, pointing to his resilience against Usykâs early dominance and suggesting external manipulation, while others dismiss it as a sore loserâs excuse, citing Usykâs clear superiority. Prominent voices like Frank Warren, Duboisâ promoter, have called for evidence, stating at 1:40 AM +07, âThese are serious accusations. Daniel needs to back them up with facts, or itâs just noise.â Usykâs camp has yet to respond, but the Ukrainianâs reputation as a disciplined fighter contrasts sharply with Duboisâ sudden outburst.
Speculation abounds, with some suggesting betting syndicates or promotional pressures could be involved, given the high stakes of an undisputed title fight. Others point to posts on X hinting at backstage tensions, though these remain unverified. The lack of concrete evidence leaves the claim hanging, but its shock value has gripped the public imagination.
What This Means
If substantiated, Duboisâ accusation could lead to a formal investigation by the BIU or CMB, potentially overturning Usykâs victory or stripping his titles, though this is unlikely without proof. For Dubois, the statement risks damaging his credibility unless he provides evidence, but it could also force a rematch or reshape his career narrative. Usykâs legacy hangs in the balance, with his next fightâpossibly against Joseph Parkerânow overshadowed by doubt. The allegation threatens boxingâs credibility, especially with Saudi investment growing, prompting calls for stricter oversight.
As the clock ticks past 1:45 AM +07, the boxing world awaits Duboisâ next moveâsilence, evidence, or retractionâwith his bombshell poised to redefine the sportâs narrative in the weeks ahead.