Lennox Lewis says Daniel Dubois has the power, pedigree, and mindset to defeat Oleksandr Usyk on 19 July.

Lennox Lewis, the last man to rule boxing’s heavyweight division as an undisputed champion, has boldly claimed that Daniel Dubois is the only fighter capable of ending Oleksandr Usyk’s undefeated reign.

Usyk, 37, has carved out a remarkable legacy since capturing Olympic gold in 2012. After dominating the cruiserweight division and unifying all four major titles, the Ukrainian stepped up to heavyweight—and did it again. He defeated Anthony Joshua twice, and most recently outclassed Tyson Fury over 24 punishing rounds in 2024 to cement his status as the undisputed king of the banner division.

Now, with 23 wins and zero defeats, Usyk stands on the brink of yet another historic milestone: becoming the first man to ever be a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. But standing in his way is a familiar foe—Britain’s Daniel Dubois, who faces Usyk in a blockbuster rematch on 19 July at Wembley Stadium.

In an interview with Queensberry, Lewis declared his faith in Dubois’ resurgence. “I’m thinking he’s ready,” said Lewis. “He’s been through the trials and tribulations. He’s the king slayer. He’s got the power. He’s been there before. He was just there—he knocked [Usyk] down, so he knows what he needs to do.”

The moment Lewis refers to is Dubois’ controversial body shot in their 2023 clash in Poland, which briefly dropped Usyk to the canvas. The referee ruled it a low blow, denying Dubois what could have been a monumental upset. Despite the furore, Usyk recovered to stop Dubois in the ninth round.

But Lewis believes that experience will serve as fuel. “It would be great for him to do it—another man from Great Britain. It’s not an easy task, but he’s definitely the man that can go through with it.”

Dubois, 27, has rebuilt steadily since that defeat, scoring impressive wins and regaining confidence under new trainer Shane McGuigan. A former WBA ‘regular’ champion, he now has another shot at greatness on the biggest stage imaginable.

“He’s done the work,” Lewis added. “He’s gone through the pedigree. He’s a certified world champion and I think he has big hopes on doing it. He’s going to do it.”

Usyk, for his part, has never officially been knocked down in his professional career. The only exception remains that disputed shot from Dubois. If anyone has come close to derailing Usyk’s run of dominance, it’s the Londoner.

However, whoever emerges victorious on 19 July will barely have time to savour their triumph. The WBO has mandated that the winner must next face former champion Joseph Parker. Failure to do so would see the belt stripped—immediately shattering the victor’s undisputed status.

Parker, currently riding a resurgence of his own after high-profile wins, has made no secret of his desire to reclaim world honours. His camp insists he will enforce his mandatory position, ensuring no easy path for the Usyk-Dubois victor.

As the Wembley showdown draws closer, Lewis’ endorsement adds spice to an already tantalising matchup. For Dubois, it’s not just redemption—it’s a shot at history. For Usyk, it’s a legacy-defining moment in front of 90,000 fans at one of boxing’s most iconic venues.