Daniel Dubois arrived late at Wembley for the crucial fight with Oleksandr Usyk, as his father hosted a party at their home earlier that day. Dubois, who hails from Essex, was preparing for the high-stakes bout at Wembley Stadium when his father’s guests were at the house.
The delay in Dubois’ arrival was due to unfamiliar guests at his home, prompting him to briefly leave. Eventually, his father drove him to Wembley after using private cars not authorized for the area around the stadium to transport the guests.
This delay caused Dubois to arrive just 80 minutes before the scheduled ring walk time, contrasting with Usyk’s earlier arrival by an hour. Chaos ensued as some of the party guests faced difficulties entering the venue, with Dubois caught in the midst of the situation.
In the fight, Usyk defeated Dubois in the fifth round, claiming the IBF belt and securing his third undisputed championship. Promoter Frank Warren suggested Dubois take a six-month break to learn from this defeat in terms of mental resilience.
Despite the tardy arrival, Dubois’ team did not cite it as an excuse for the comprehensive loss to Usyk. However, it highlighted the complex relationship between Dubois and his father.
Critics, including heavyweight Dave Allen, questioned the involvement of Dubois’ father in the fight, suggesting he should not have been providing advice alongside the lead trainer. Ultimately, it was the lead trainer who threw in the towel, leading to the fight’s conclusion.
In a separate development, Scottish boxer Josh Taylor announced his retirement due to an eye injury. Taylor, who recently held the undisputed light-welterweight title, decided to retire after facing three consecutive defeats, including a failed move up to welterweight, due to the risk posed by his recurring eye injury.
In his retirement statement, Taylor expressed gratitude for the support throughout his career and acknowledged the end of an era. He emphasized his readiness to explore life beyond boxing.
