Daniel Dubois faced delays on his way to Wembley for a crucial fight against Oleksandr Usyk due to a party held at his family home by his father. The boxer, based in Essex, was resting before the big showdown at Wembley Stadium when his father’s guests caused a delay. Dubois, 27, left briefly as he was unfamiliar with the guests and later arrived at the venue in a non-accredited car, causing further delays.
Despite the setbacks, Dubois entered the ring 80 minutes before the scheduled walk time, while Usyk arrived an hour earlier. The chaotic scenes continued as some of the party guests struggled to enter the venue, with Dubois caught in the middle. Ultimately, Usyk defeated Dubois in the fifth round, claiming the IBF belt and becoming a three-time undisputed champion.
Promoter Frank Warren recommended that Dubois take a six-month break to learn mental resilience after suffering two defeats, emphasizing the need to improve in this aspect. While the delay in getting to the venue was not cited as an excuse for the defeat, it shed light on the complex relationship between Dubois and his father.
Critics, including heavyweight Dave Allen, questioned the involvement of Dubois’ father in the fight, suggesting that the lead trainer should have had full control. In the end, it was the lead trainer who threw in the towel as the referee ended the match due to Dubois not beating the count.
In a separate development, Scottish boxer Josh Taylor announced his retirement due to an eye injury. The 34-year-old, a former undisputed light-welterweight champion, decided to end his career to protect his eyesight following a series of defeats and a recurring eye injury risk.
Reflecting on his retirement, Taylor expressed gratitude for the support throughout his boxing journey and acknowledged the end of an era. He looks forward to exploring life beyond the boxing ring after dedicating himself to the sport for a decade.