Mission Impossible… Right?

It is fair to say that the task ahead of Daniel Dubois has been labeled as such. I get it. Yet somehow, some way, there is a formula to which the ultimate shock can be written. 

Impossible: not being able to occur, exist, or be done. 

Daniel Dubois has done all of those things as a young heavyweight. 

His occurrence has coincided with a golden era for heavyweight British boxing, to which he has stamped his own authority amongst a field of characters. 

His existence hasn’t been straight forward either, with his 2020 defeat to rival Joe Joyce calling into question more than his ability. 

But above all, he has got things done. A 95% knockout ratio lay claim to his freakish power, whilst his belt collection signifies that of a well-conducted journey through the ranks. 

Now, he stands across from a puzzle so complex it has yet to have been solved. One that his British counterparts have either succumbed to, or in another case, hid from. 

But the greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. 

So, how on earth does one overcome Oleksandr Usyk?

Dubois himself has made his gameplan pretty clear. Cut off the ring, get up close, and be the bully. Essentially, do everything Anthony Joshua refused to do. 

However it is easier said than done when you are being peppered by the most accurate of machine gun fire. Usyk barely wastes a punch, and Dubois’ chin is far from granite. 

Former cruiserweight Kevin Lerena had Dubois on the canvas three times last December, and, if not for his lack of power, would have finished Dubois inside the first three minutes. 

Look, I’m not condoning the odd rabbit punch, the constant stiff-arm and the occasional low blow, but, if you mean it when you say, ‘by any means necessary’, then show us. 

Nothing would be worse than the pain of regret. 

Except maybe a straight left to the chin, and there’s a few you can ask. 

For Usyk, Saturday’s fight will be his second in Poland after his 2016 win over Krzysztof Glowacki. That was Usyk’s maiden world title win, and it has been upwards ever since. 

10 fights, 8 world titles - including the full set at cruiserweight - has seen the Ukrainian catapult himself into boxing royalty. 

But whilst the fans, and Usyk himself, crave the fight that cements top dog, it is in a champions’ honour to defend his belts. 

It is an unlikely defence too. 

I’m sure if 12 months ago, in the aftermath of his second victory over Joshua in Jeddah, you claimed that Usyk’s next fight would be against Dubois, you might just have been laughed out the room.  

It is a fight nonetheless that has similarities to previous for Usyk at heavyweight - he once again will have a height, weight, and reach disadvantage. 

But it is Usyk’s ability to benefit from his disadvantages that highlight his excellence. His mobility and his intensity immediately disband any physical authority his opponent may have. 

And of course when a fighter is southpaw, everything is not as it usually is. 

I began by titling this as mission impossible, and, as much as Frank Warren’s rousing speech had me double-taking, I think I’ll stick. 

Although stranger things have happened, I think…

Oscar Bevis