Oleksandr Usyk is leaning towards former rival Daniel Dubois to beat Joseph Parker in their heavyweight world title clash this weekend.
Usyk is set to be in attendance as Dubois defends his IBF crown against former titlist, Parker at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Dubois has been on a run of three straight victories since losing to a ninth round stoppage loss to Usyk in August 2023, notably knocking out Anthony Joshua in five rounds at Wembley Stadium in his last fight in September.
Usyk admits he is backing the Brit to emerge victorious when he faces the New Zealander, who has won five straight fights, including over former world champion, Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.
“52% to Daniel,” the 38-year-old told talkSPORT Boxing.
“48% to Parker.”
The Ukrainian retained his WBC, WBO and WBA ‘super’ heavyweight world titles with a unanimous decision win over Tyson Fury in their rematch in December and was confronted by Dubois in the ring afterwards, with the 27-year-old calling for a rematch.
Usyk relinquished the IBF belt following their first meeting in May in order to secure a rematch with ’The Gypsy King’, but is now looking to reclaim it by facing the winner of Dubois vs Parker, after revealing last week he has two fights remaining in his decorated career.
“I will fight who will win, Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, no problem,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think two years, one and a half [left in boxing].
”I feel great myself.
“I feel I have two fights to prepare [for], not more. Just two.”
Asked if Dubois has made improvements since their clash almost two years ago, Usyk replied: “No.
“That’s boxing.
“Daniel won, it’s a fact, but I think maybe Joshua had problems preparing, maybe how he felt, I don’t know.”
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