Oleksandr Usyk proved he’s the top heavyweight. On July 19, 2025, the Ukrainian boxer stopped Daniel Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium in London. Right after, Usyk locked eyes with Jake Paul in a tense ring face-off. The moment, watched by 90,000 fans, stirred talk of a possible boxing or MMA clash between the undisputed champion and the YouTuber-turned-boxer.
Fight Recap and Staredown Moment
The rematch, shown on DAZN pay-per-view, saw Usyk take control early. His jab and footwork kept Dubois at a distance in the first two rounds. Dubois landed right hands in round three but couldn’t keep up. In round five, Usyk dropped Dubois with a left hook, then finished with a right hand at 1:52, securing his third undisputed heavyweight title reign.
Jake Paul entered the ring after the knockout. The crowd booed loudly, but Usyk and Paul stood face-to-face, exchanging calm words before shaking hands.
Usyk said, “Yes, I am ready [to fight Jake Paul] but I need to rest.”
Paul wrote on social media, “Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time @usykaa on a huge win.”
He also suggested an MMA fight, though no bout is confirmed. Usyk named Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker, Anthony Joshua, and Derek Chisora as other potential opponents.
Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time @usykaa on a huge win. I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world @MostVpromotions pic.twitter.com/1MgsKyG13z
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) July 19, 2025
Jake Paul vs Usyk?! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/OznByfMEMs
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) July 19, 2025
Oleksandr Usyk, now 24-0 with 15 knockouts, was the undisputed cruiserweight champion. He won Olympic gold in 2012 and turned pro in 2013. Usyk claimed heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022, and Tyson Fury twice in 2024. His first fight with Dubois in August 2023 ended in a ninth-round knockout after a debated low blow.
Daniel Dubois, now 22-3 with 21 knockouts, is a 27-year-old from London. He won the IBF heavyweight title in June 2025 after Usyk vacated it. Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in September 2024 but couldn’t match Usyk’s skill. His power showed early, but Usyk’s precision proved too strong.
Jake Paul, 11-1 with 7 knockouts, is a 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer. He’s beaten former UFC fighters like Nate Diaz and Mike Perry, and boxing veterans like Mike Tyson. Paul holds a PFL contract for a possible MMA debut but focuses on boxing, recently calling out Joshua and now Usyk.
Usyk’s knockout made him the first boxer in the four-belt era to win undisputed heavyweight titles three times. The face-off with Paul grabbed headlines, despite being promotional. Paul’s MMA challenge seems unlikely, as Usyk has no grappling experience, but a boxing match could happen.
