God. The boxing world never fails to throw up some absolute crackers when you least expect it. I was literally about to book tickets for a summer holiday when my phone blew up with messages about this rematch. There goes my July plans!

The Revenge Tour Nobody Saw Coming

It looks like we're getting Oleksandr Usyk versus Daniel Dubois part two, and this time with EVERYTHING on the line. The pair are reportedly in the final stages of hammering out a deal for an undisputed world heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium on July 12th. That's a Saturday night under the lights in London that promises absolute fireworks.

Remember their first encounter back in Poland? August 2023 feels like a lifetime ago now. I'd put £50 on Dubois to cause an upset that night (still hurts my wallet thinking about it). That controversial fifth round moment when Dubois landed what he swore was a legal body shot – but the ref called it low – still gets debated in every boxing WhatsApp group I'm in.

What the hell happened since then?

Usyk, that Ukrainian boxing maestro, has been busy cementing his legacy by beating Tyson Fury. Twice. The man who looks like he could be your friendly neighborhood accountant has somehow become the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history. Though he had to vacate the IBF belt to make the Fury rematch happen last December.

Meanwhile, Dubois has been on an absolute tear.

After that Usyk defeat, "Dynamite" has rebuilt his career impressively – taking out Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and most notably, Anthony Joshua. That AJ victory shocked pretty much everyone I know. My brother-in-law (massive Joshua fan) hasn't spoken to me since I texted him "told you so" after that fight. Poor guy.

The Summer of Fists

Dubois was meant to face Joseph Parker in February, but illness forced that one off the cards. Now it seems he's skipping straight to the biggest fight possible. According to Ring Magazine, Wembley Stadium is teh venue, and all the belts will be on the line – Usyk's WBC, WBA, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine straps, plus Dubois' IBF championship.

I spent $120 on pay-per-views last year adn promised my wife I'd cut back in 2024. She's gonna kill me when she sees the credit card statement after this one.

Mandatory Schmandatory

There's a potential spanner in the works though. Derek Chisora is apparently the mandatory challenger for Dubois' IBF belt, with the organization set to order that fight on April 22nd. But... title unifications typically trump mandatory defenses. Thank god for that boxing politics loophole.

When asked about a potential Chisora fight, Dubois didn't exactly sound thrilled: "I'm not really interested like that, but sure, why not? I'm more up for Parker, Usyk and AJ, those guys, the top names. But I guess take him on as a comeback fight or something."

That response is about as enthusiastic as my teenager when I ask him to take out the garbage.

Settling Old Scores

Earlier this month, Dubois made it crystal clear what he wants: "Definitely July, a big fight in July against Usyk. That's what I want. There's talks, negotiations happening behind the scenes, the two teams are going back and forth."

He added with typical Dubois confidence: "I'm just doing my job as a fighter and staying ready and getting prepared for when I get a call on whoever is next, I'm ready to unleash hell."

Unleash hell. Love that. Sounds like something from one of those overpriced motivational seminars my boss made us attend in 2018.

Dubois clearly believes he can make history: "The Usyk fight for undisputed would create history, that would be a massive historic event. Just like the AJ fight, the build-up at Leicester Square, it would just be amazing to be a part of that sort of fight. I'll be the man to stop him, I just see it. I'll be the first man to beat him."

I've watched that first fight three times now. If Dubois can avoid that counter left hand and actually get credit for his body work... who knows?

July 12th. Circle it on your calendars, folks.