Usyk defeats Daniel Dubois by ninth-round KO, retains unified heavyweight titles [VIDEO]

Live results: Oleksandr Usyk retains unified heavyweight titles defeats Daniel Dubois by ninth-round KO

Oleksandr Usyk defends his unified heavyweight status against Daniel Dubois this Saturday live from Wroclaw, Poland. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds with the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles up for grabs. Usyk and Dubois will stream live at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) completed a sweep of Anthony Joshua, winning and retaining multiple heavyweight belts in the process. Negotiations between his camp and WBC heavyweight titleholder Tyson Fury broke down, as this will be his first ring appearance this year. Usyk has already reached undisputed status at cruiserweight, starting his career 16-0 before shifting up to heavyweight in 2019. Now he looks to take one step closer toward a possible Fury fight.

Dubois (19-1, 18 KOs) solidified himself as mandatory heavyweight challenger after a third-round stoppage win over Kevin Lerena last December. His power is undeniable and despite being dropped three times early, he still managed to overcome Lerena. The 25-year-old out of Britain has a 94% knockout rate and was a previous WBO heavyweight titleholder.

Usyk comes into the bout as the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook. He is a -1000 favorite while Dubois is a +600 underdog. The favored method of victory is Usyk to win by knockout (-200).

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois round-by-round results

Round 1: Usyk 10-9

Fast feet for both to begin, Usyk testing out the straight right jab while Dubois pacing with a lead left. Feel out process for each fighter. Usyk a step ahead of Dubois and beating him to each punch. Splits his guard and lands a nice left. Dubois remaining composed though. Slow start in general, Usyk with a slight edge due to his faints and movement.

Round 2: Usyk 10-9 (Usyk 20-18)

Usyk controlling the pace and connects with a subtle left hand up top. Stiff right followed by a nice left and Dubois taking some punches here. Uppercut to the body connects for Dubois.

Round 3: Dubois 10-9 (Usyk 29-28)

Dubous with a solid right to the body of Usyk. Usyk responds with a nice left hook. Right hook from Dubois lands. Dubois with nice head movement and this is the best he’s looked so far.

Round 4: Usyk 10-9 (Usyk 39-37)

Left hand connects for Usyk. Short right hand for Dubois. Ring seems to be slippery due to on pour of rain. Usyk working the jab well.

Round 5: Usyk 10-9 (Usyk 49-46)

Low blow from Dubois and Usyk is down in considerable pain. Usyk still collecting himself and second replay the punch looks not that low as initially many thought. Nearly 4 minutes have passed. 2:32 on the clock and we’re back on! Dubois stepping on the gas more here and coming out aggressive. Usyk implores another low shot from Dubois but the ref confirms it was a clean hit. Usyk with a nice left hand. Left hand lands again and some after the bell activities, it’s getting testy in the ring!

Round 6: Usyk 10-9 (Usyk 59-55)

Body shot clearly had an effect as midway through this round Usyk odds to win has dropped to -500 and Dubois now a +340. Nice left hand from Usyk and Dubois responds with a nice jab himself. Left to the body again for Dubois.

Round 7: Usyk 10-9 (Usyk 69-64)

Dubois slams another right hand to the champ’s body. Straight left hand from Usyk followed by a hook. He’s beginning to unload here a bit. Upper cut and left hook from the champion, picking it up a notch. Strong finish from Usyk as blood starts to leak from the nose of Dubois.

Round 8: Usyk 10-8 (Usyk 79-72)

Usyk comes out aggressive, landing a nice one-two to begin. Dubois fires off a counter right that pauses Usyk and slows him down momentarily. Double jab from Usyk. Right hand from Dubois again as his corner wants him to land more. Strong combination from Usyk and he gets a knockdown to end round 8! What an array of punches.

Round 9: Usyk KO

Usyk backs Dubois into a corner and he’s looking to finish this one. Right hook and he continues to punish Dubois. A short right hand AGAIN and Dubois is seeing stars. Dubois down on the canvas, doesn’t beat the count. This one is OVER! Big time right hand from Usyk stops Dubois in the 9th.

Final decision: Usyk wins via ninth-round KO